Cool MateNumber
UK /["/ˈnʌmbə(r)/"]/US /["/ˈnʌmbər/"]/
Definition
a word or symbol that represents an amount or a quantity
In simple words: A number is a word or symbol that represents a quantity.
Examples
- He called the number on the advertisement to get more information.
- Please write your number down on this form.
- The number of students in the classroom is twenty.
- Can you tell me the number of your house?
Usage notes
Use 'number' when referring to a specific quantity of things. It's appropriate in both spoken and written contexts, though in formal settings, specify further (e.g., 'number of participants'). Avoid using it in highly technical mathematical discussions where specific numerical terms are preferred.
Grammar pattern
number + (of) + object
Memory hint
Think of 'number' as 'numb' — it's a way to make sense of how much.
Collocations
- three-digit
- 16-digit
- cardinal
- calculate
- add
- add together
- in round numbers
- number crunching
- fax
- phone
- telephone
- call
- dial
- phone
- be busy
- be engaged
- be unobtainable
- exchange numbers
- somebody’s name and number
- big
- high
- low
- grow in
- increase in
- decrease in
- go up
- grow
- increase
- in number
- number of
- a decline in numbers
- a drop in numbers
- a growth in numbers
- big
- high
- low
- grow in
- increase in
- decrease in
- go up
- grow
- increase
- in number
- number of
- a decline in numbers
- a drop in numbers
- a growth in numbers
Synonyms
- figure
Antonyms
- none
Common mistakes
- Confusing 'number' with 'amount' (use 'number' for countable items, 'amount' for uncountable)
- Saying 'the number of less people' instead of 'fewer people'
- Using 'numbers' when referring to a singular 'number'