Numeral

A numeral is a member of a word class whose members are used to express numbers in one way or another (for counting objects, counting events, or expressing the position in a sequence).

Comments

Numerals should not be confused with number words, i.e. words expressing number in the sense of singular/plural and similar distinctions. Numerals are word that express precise numbers such as 'one', 'two', 'three', 'seventy-seven', rather than approximate quantity.

Subtypes

• cardinal numeral
• ordinal numeral
• multiplicative numeral
• distributive numeral

Synonym

• number-word
• number (sometimes used loosely for 'numeral')

Origin

From Latin numeralis 'having to do with number (numerus)'. Attested in English since the 16th century.

See also

• numeral base

Other languages

German Zahlwort

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