numerate
Americanadjective
verb
-
to read (a numerical expression)
-
a less common word for enumerate
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of numerate
1400–50; late Middle English: counted, numbered < Latin numerātus (past participle of numerāre to number ), equivalent to numer- number + -ātus -ate 1
Explanation
To numerate is to count, number, or list. You might numerate your ten New Year's resolutions, starting with number one. As a verb, numerate is often used as a less-common synonym for enumerate, "to name in a list." You can also use this word as an adjective to mean "fluent in understanding numbers." If you're literate, you can read, and if you're numerate, you can count, add, subtract, and generally use numbers. The Latin root word is numerus, "a number."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Improvements in K-14 education to get every child literate, numerate, graduating from high school and, where possible, into at least community college, the military or technical training.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 9, 2024
Rishi Sunak said the UK was one of the least numerate countries in the developed world in a speech championing maths.
From BBC ● Apr. 17, 2023
It’s harder-edged, more numerate and more closely connected to the floods, fires and December tornadoes that have upended millions of people’s lives.
From New York Times ● Dec. 12, 2021
That is, you need to be numerate and you need to be numerically confident.
From Washington Post ● Sep. 27, 2019
Of course, this aspect of mathematics isn’t very well known even to the numerate, since it’s necessary to have some mathematical ideas first before you can play around with them.
From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos
His defense is not as interesting or easily numerated to many, although he leads the NBA in steals and deflections.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 26, 2018
Yes, he spoke in numerated bullet points, saying “number one” and “number two.”
From Forbes ● Mar. 5, 2015
I have not numerated Noel's birthday presents because I wish to leave something to the imagination of my young readers.
From The Wouldbegoods by Nesbit, E. (Edith)
His speech is the first extensive exposition of the doctrine of strict construction of the written instrument; that the central power must be held strictly to the powers numerated in the document.
From The United States of America, Part 1 by Sparks, Edwin Erle
Antiphanes also reckons starlings among the eatable birds, numerating them in the following list—"Honey, partridges, pigeons, ducks, geese, starlings, jays, rooks, blackbirds, quails, and pullets."
From The Deipnosophists, or Banquet of the Learned of Athen?us by Athen?us
In a subsequent communication, the General in numerating the officers whose commands had distinguished themselves, makes honourable mention of the one who led these troops in the different actions of that memorable campaign.
From The Journal of Negro History, Volume 6, 1921 by Various
It will now be seen, that man possesses materials for conducting his reasonings, which animals do not enjoy;—by language, and from his capacity of numerating.
From Sound Mind or, Contributions to the natural history and physiology of the human intellect by Haslam, John
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
