numeric
gb/numˈɛɹɪk/ us/numˈɛɹɪk/
B2
English
~ 9300
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
relating to or using numbers
using, showing, or about numbers.
Usage pattern:
numeric [data/value/result/score]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *numeric* when they just mean *number* (for example, saying *“the numeric of students”* instead of *“the number of students”*). *Numeric* is an adjective and should describe a noun, as in *numeric data* or *numeric result*. Learners may also confuse *numeric* with *numeral*; *numeral* is the written symbol (0–9), while *numeric* describes something related to numbers in general.
Synonyms
numerical (Very close in meaning; slightly more common in formal or academic writing, especially in mathematics and science.)
Antonyms
textual (Describes information made of words or text rather than numbers.)
Collocations
numeric data
|numeric value
|numeric results
|numeric information
|numeric variable
|numeric format
Themes
math
|technology
|education
|science
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The report provides numeric data on customer satisfaction over the last year.
- We need a numeric value for each answer before we can calculate the average.
- The software can handle both numeric and text fields in the same table.
- Teachers often use numeric scores to summarize students’ performance.
- The study found a clear numeric difference between the two groups.
Learner examples
- Please enter a numeric value in this box.
- The test gives you a numeric score from 0 to 100.
- This chart shows the numeric results for each month.
- The file has both text and numeric data.
- She wrote down the numeric answers in a table.
adjective
technical
B2
property
2
containing only number digits
made only of number digits and no letters.
Usage pattern:
numeric [code/password/PIN/ID]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think *numeric* here can also include letters, because in some languages the word for *code* does not clearly separate numbers and letters. In English, a *numeric code* or *numeric PIN* means digits only. If both letters and numbers are allowed, the correct word is *alphanumeric*.
Synonyms
digit-only (Informal, descriptive phrase used especially in technical instructions; slightly less standard than *numeric*.)
Antonyms
alphanumeric (Describes codes or strings that include both letters and digits, the opposite of only digits.)
Collocations
numeric code
|numeric password
|numeric PIN
|numeric keypad
|numeric ID
|numeric field
Themes
technology
|security
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- For extra security, choose a numeric code that is not your birthday.
- The door lock accepts only a six-digit numeric PIN.
- Enter your numeric ID in the first field and your name in the second.
- The form will reject your input if it is not in numeric format.
- Use the numeric keypad on the right side of the keyboard to enter the amount quickly.
Learner examples
- My phone needs a four-digit numeric code.
- The password must be numeric, not letters.
- Type your numeric PIN and press OK.
- This field only accepts numeric characters.
- He used the numeric keypad to enter the price.
Noun
technical
C1
entity
3
a numeric value or item
in computing, a piece of data that is a number.
Usage pattern:
to enter [a] numeric in [a field]
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize that *numeric* can be used as a noun in technical computing language. Outside of computing, using *a numeric* will sound strange; people normally say *a number*.
Synonyms
number (More general and widely used; *numeric* is more technical and often refers to typed data in software or databases.)
Antonyms
string (In programming, a *string* is text data, often contrasted with numeric data types.)
Collocations
enter a numeric
|single numeric
|numeric field
|numeric input
Themes
technology
|programming
|science
Examples
- This column must contain a numeric, not text, or the query will fail.
- If the user enters a non-numeric in this field, the program should display an error.
- The function takes two numerics and returns their sum.
- Each record includes a numeric for age and a string for name.
- The validator checks whether the input is a valid numeric before saving it.
Learner examples
- The form asks you to enter a numeric in this box.
- This field needs a numeric, not a word.
- The program can read two numerics and add them.
- If you type letters instead of a numeric, the site shows an error.
- We store the price as a numeric in the database.
Grammar
Dictionary form
numeric
IPA
GB/numˈɛɹɪk/
US/numˈɛɹɪk/
Syllables & stress
nu - mer - ic (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (mer)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: numeric
Noun
- Base: numeric
- Plural: numerics
Word family
Expressions
numeric code
1/numˈɛɹɪk kˈoʊd/
fixed phrase
number sequence used as a code
a series of number digits used as a code to open something or identify someone.
Examples
- You need a four-digit numeric code to open the safe.
- The system sends a one-time numeric code to your phone.
numeric data
1/numˈɛɹɪk dˈætə/
fixed phrase
technical
information that is numbers
information that is stored or shown as numbers, not words.
Examples
- The spreadsheet contains numeric data in the first three columns and text in the last two.
- We analyzed the numeric data to find trends in sales.
numeric ID
1/numˈɛɹɪk ˈaɪ dˈi/
fixed phrase
technical
ID that is only numbers
an identification code that is made only of numbers.
Examples
- Each student is given a unique numeric ID.
- Enter your numeric ID and then your password to log in.
numeric key
1/numˈɛɹɪk kˈi/
fixed phrase
key that enters a digit
a key on a keyboard or phone that you press to enter a number.
Examples
- Press the numeric key 0 if you want to speak to an operator.
- Some games let you move the character using the numeric keys.
numeric keypad
1/numˈɛɹɪk kˈipˌæd/
fixed phrase
keyboard section with number keys
the group of keys on a keyboard or device that has only number keys and a few symbols.
Examples
- Use the numeric keypad on the right to enter long numbers quickly.
- My laptop does not have a separate numeric keypad.
numeric order
1/numˈɛɹɪk ˈɔɹdɚ/
fixed phrase
arranged by number size
a way of putting things in order by their numbers, from small to large or large to small.
Examples
- The files are stored in numeric order by customer number.
- Please list the questions in numeric order from 1 to 10.
numeric password
1/numˈɛɹɪk pˈæswˌɚd/
fixed phrase
password using only digits
a password that uses only number digits and no letters.
Examples
- For security reasons, do not use your birthday as a numeric password.
- Banks often require a six-digit numeric password for phone banking.
numeric rating
1/numˈɛɹɪk ɹˈeɪtɪŋ/
fixed phrase
score given as a number
a score that is written as a number, not as words or stars.
Examples
- The movie has an average numeric rating of 8.2 out of 10.
- Each hotel receives a numeric rating based on guest reviews.
numeric scale
1/numˈɛɹɪk skˈeɪl/
fixed phrase
technical
number-based measurement range
a way to measure something by using numbers along a line, such as from 1 to 10.
Examples
- Patients rated their pain on a numeric scale from 0 to 10.
- The survey used a simple numeric scale to measure satisfaction.
numeric value
1/numˈɛɹɪk vˈælju/
fixed phrase
technical
a specific number amount
a particular number that shows an amount or measurement.
Examples
- The test gives each answer a numeric value from 0 to 5.
- We use a numeric value to represent each color in the system.