number
A word or sign that shows how many or how much.
A mathematical symbol or word used to represent a quantity or amount.
How many people or things there are.
An amount of people or things, expressed as a count.
To give numbers to things in order.
To mark or list things with numbers, usually in order.
A short piece of music, dance, or acting in a show.
A song, dance, or other short performance that is part of a show or event.
(Informal) A very good-looking person.
(Informal) A person considered physically attractive, often in a sexual way.
- Base: number
- Plural: number, numbers
- Base: number
- 3rd Person Singular: numbers
- Present Participle: numbering
- Past: numbered
a number of
1Several; more than one but not many specified
More than one but not an exact amount.
- A number of people called to complain.
- We visited a number of cities during our trip.
by the numbers
1Following instructions exactly and mechanically
Doing something exactly by the rules, without change or creativity.
- The team played it by the numbers and won easily.
- He cooks strictly by the numbers, following every recipe step.
do a number on [someone/something]
1Cause serious harm or damage to someone/something (informal)
To hurt or damage someone or something badly.
- That storm really did a number on our house.
- She did a number on her ankle during practice.
numbers game
1Activity dependent on manipulating statistics/probabilities
A situation where success depends on numbers and statistics, not single events.
- Politics can be a numbers game sometimes.
- Sales is often just a numbers game—call enough people and you'll get results.
strength in numbers
1Power comes from being in a group
It is safer or easier to succeed when many people work together.
- Protesters knew they had strength in numbers.
- We joined forces, believing in strength in numbers.