# numeral

/ˈnumɝəɫ/ (US) · /njˈuːməɹəl/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/numeral
Updated: 2026-05-27

## Definition

a word or symbol that represents a number. You use this to talk about the different ways we write or say numbers, like 'one' or '1'.

For teachers: a word, phrase, or symbol that represents a number. In linguistics, it refers to the part of speech that expresses a quantity or a numerical value.

## Examples

- The word 'five' is a numeral.
- In many languages, the numeral 'one' changes its form depending on the gender of the noun it describes.
- The study of numeral systems reveals how different cultures conceptualize quantity, ranging from simple tally marks to complex positional notations like the Hindu-Arabic system.

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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.