English Reference
Adjective

numeric

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /nuˈmɛɹɪk/ UK /njuːmˈɛɹɪk/ nu·mer·ic Mathematics

adj.relating to or expressed in numbers. You use this to describe data or information that uses digits instead of words.

adj.relating to, expressed by, or consisting of numbers. Often used to distinguish quantitative data from alphabetical or categorical information.


SIMPLE

The computer requires a numeric password.

CONTEXTUAL

The spreadsheet uses a numeric format to ensure that the calculations for the monthly budget remain accurate.

COMPLEX

Statistical analysis often requires converting qualitative survey responses into numeric values to facilitate more rigorous mathematical modeling and comparison.

Usage

Commonly used in technical, mathematical, and computing contexts; often interchangeable with 'numerical' in general use.

For physical passkey holders (such as a Yubikey), the numeric PIN must be entered.

Ars Technica· 11 Aug 2026

Borrowed from French numérique, from Latin numerus (“number”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Latin numerus
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated