American English

How to pronounce number

noun · verbA1Very common word
NUHMber

/ˈnəm.bɚ/

2 syllables · Stress the first syllable.

a value used for counting, measuring, or doing calculations

Practice out loud

Meanings & examples

noun

a value used for counting, measuring, or doing calculations

The answer is the number 12.

Zero is an even number.

Common phrases & grammar

positive number · negative number · even number · odd number

noun

a group of digits used to identify a person, place, object, or account

What's your phone number?

Write your order number here.

Common phrases & grammar

phone number · street number · account number · order number

noun

the total amount of people or things counted together

The number of students is rising.

A large number of people came.

Good to know

Use the number of for a total. Use a number of for several people or things.

Common phrases & grammar

a large number of · a small number of · the total number of · an increasing number of

the number of + plural noun + is/was

a number of + plural noun + are/were

nounless common

a song, dance, or other performance in a show

The band played a lively number.

Her dance number was the best part of the show.

Common phrases & grammar

musical number · dance number · opening number

Useful expressions

a number of

several people or things

A number of employees work from home.

the number of

the total amount of people or things

The number of visitors is growing.

number one

first in a list or ranking; the most important

Her new song is number one this week.

Related words & forms