# numbers

/ˈnəmbɝz/ (US) · /nˈʌmbəz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/numbers
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. plural of number

noun · CEFR A1

more than one number, like 5, 10, and 20.

For teachers: the plural form of 'number', referring to multiple mathematical units or values.

- The children are learning to write their numbers from one to ten.
- The accountant spent the afternoon verifying the numbers in the annual report to ensure there were no discrepancies.

Usage: Countable noun used in its plural form.

### 2. many people

noun · CEFR B1

a large group of people or things.

For teachers: a large quantity of people or items, often implying strength, safety, or a collective force.

- There is safety in numbers, so please stay with the group.
- The protest grew in numbers as the afternoon progressed, eventually filling the entire city square.

Usage: Usually appears in the plural; common in the idiom 'safety in numbers'.

### 3. the Bible

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the fourth book of the Bible.

For teachers: the fourth book of the Old Testament and the Torah, containing a census of the Israelites.

- The priest gave a sermon based on a story from the Book of Numbers.
- Scholars often examine the Book of Numbers to understand the social and tribal structure of the early Israelites.

Teaching tip: Always capitalized when referring to the biblical book.

## Examples

- The children are learning to count their numbers.
- The manager checked the sales numbers for the last quarter to see if the store met its targets.
- While the raw numbers suggest a decline in productivity, they fail to account for the significant improvements in product quality achieved during the same period.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.