numerate

[verb noo-muh-reyt, nyoo-; adjective noo-mer-it, nyoo-]

verb (used with object), nu·mer·at·ed, nu·mer·at·ing.

to represent numbers by symbols.

adjective

able to use or understand numerical techniques of mathematics.

Nearby words

Origin of numerate

1400–50; late Middle English: counted, numbered < Latin numerātus (past participle of numerāre to number), equivalent to numer- number + -ātus -ate¹

Related formsnu·mer·a·cy, nounre·nu·mer·ate, verb (used with object), re·nu·mer·at·ed, re·nu·mer·at·ing.un·nu·mer·at·ed, adjective

Can be confusedremunerate renumerate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for numeracy

numeracy

noun

the ability to use numbers, esp in arithmetical operations

numerate

adjective (ˈnjuːmərɪt)

able to use numbers, esp in arithmetical operationsCompare literate

verb (ˈnjuːməˌreɪt) (tr)

to read (a numerical expression)

a less common word for enumerate

Word Origin for numerate

C18 (vb): from Latin numerus number + -ate 1, by analogy with literate

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for numeracy

numeracy

1957, from numerate (adj.), from Latin numeratus "counted out," from numerus "a number" (see number (n.)) on model of literacy, etc.

numerate

1721, "to count," from Latin numeratus "counted out," past participle of numerare "to count, to number," from numerus "a number" (see number). Related: Numerated; numerating.