number

num|ber1 [ `nʌmbər ] noun ***

▸ 1 sign/word for amount

▸ 2 for showing position

▸ 3 telephone number

▸ 4 for marking something

▸ 5 a quantity

▸ 6 piece of music

▸ 7 someone/something attractive etc.

▸ 8 in linguistics

▸ + PHRASES

1. ) count a sign or word that represents an amount or quantity. 1, 2, 3, etc. and one, two, three, etc. are numbers:

large numbers like 250,000

Can you read the numbers on the chart?

a ) even number a number that can be exactly divided by 2, such as 2, 4, 6, 8, etc.

b ) odd number a number that cannot be exactly divided by 2, such as 1, 3, 5, 7, etc.

c ) round number a number that ends in 0, such as 40, 450, or 4000:

in round numbers: I don't need an exact figure. Just tell me what it will cost in round numbers.

2. ) count used for showing the position of something in a series:

As a tennis player, she rated number one (=the best) in the nation.

The local trains will be arriving on track number 4.

Her apartment number is 16C.

3. ) count a telephone number:

Call this number to get a taxi.

wrong number: I must have dialed the wrong number.

4. ) count a number that marks something in a way that separates it from everything else of its type, so that you can easily find it or discover who it belongs to:

Your account number is printed on every check.

In order to get a job, you have to have a Social Security number.

5. ) count or uncount a quantity of people or things:

number of: a small number of stores

increasing numbers of drivers

This brings the total number of children to 12.

a ) (quite) a number of something used for giving a general idea of how many people or things you are referring to:

A number of students (=more than a few, but not many) have part-time jobs.

We've met on a number of occasions.

Quite a number of paintings (=many paintings) have been sold.

b ) any number of something a large quantity of people or things:

She's written any number of good stories.

There could be any number of reasons why he's not home.

=> AMOUNT

6. ) count a song or piece of music, especially one that is part of a longer performance:

show-stopping numbers from Broadway musicals

7. ) count INFORMAL someone or something that is unusual or attractive:

She was wearing a little black number (=dress or outfit).

8. ) uncount LINGUISTICS the form of a word that shows whether you are referring to one thing or more than one thing:

If the subject is plural, the verb has to be in the plural number.

by the numbers

in a way that is exactly according to the rules:

In the military, you learn to do things by the numbers.

do a number on INFORMAL

to deliberately do something that has a negative effect on someone or something:

The reviewers really did a number on that movie.

have (got) someone's number INFORMAL

to understand someone or realize the true purpose of their actions:

I've got your number don't think you can fool me.

one/some of someone's number FORMAL

one or several of the people in a particular group:

Some of our number have had doubts about this.

someone's number is up INFORMAL

used for saying that someone is going to die:

When the brakes failed, I thought my number was up.

without/beyond number LITERARY

too many to be counted:

Filling the sky, there were birds beyond number.

number

num|ber 2 [ `nʌmbər ] verb transitive *

1. ) to give a number to something or to each thing that is part of a set:

Number each page in the upper right-hand corner.

The seats in the balcony are numbered from 100 to 200.

2. ) FORMAL to consist of a particular quantity of people or things:

The crew numbered 15.

Serbs numbered only 10 percent of the region's population.

number someone among FORMAL

to include someone in a particular group of people:

I number him among my closest friends.

someone's/something's days are numbered

someone or something is not likely to continue in a particular situation or to exist much longer:

His days on the team are numbered.