numerical

[ noo-mer-i-kuhl, nyoo- ]

adjective

1. of or relating to numbers; of the nature of a number.
2. indicating a number:

   numerical symbols.

3. bearing or designated by a number.
4. expressed by numbers instead of letters:

   numerical cryptography; numerical equations.

5. of or relating to one's skill at working with numbers, solving mathematical problems, etc.:

   tests for rating numerical aptitude.

6. Mathematics. absolute ( def 12 ).

numerical

/ njuːˈmɛrɪkəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or denoting a number or numbers
2. measured or expressed in numbers

   numerical value

3. maths
   1. containing or using constants, coefficients, terms, or elements represented by numbers Compare literal

      3x² + 4y = 2 is a numerical equation

   2. another word for absolute

Derived Forms

• nuˈmerically, adverb

Other Words From

• nu·mer·i·cal·ly adverb
• nu·mer·i·cal·ness noun
• un·nu·mer·i·cal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of numerical¹

First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin numer(us) number + -ical

Example Sentences

The program converts the words for supermarket inventory items into numerical data so neural networks can process them.

From Fortune

Over time, as a neural network is trained on additional text, it groups words according to numerical scores measuring how frequently the words appear near each other.

From Fortune

The report doesn’t give a reason for why hospitals chose not to participate in the survey, but it points out those that did not participate did not receive a numerical score assessing their LGBTQ policies.

From Washington Blade

As an editor, I’ve long had mixed feelings about the journalistic tradition of marking particular chronological or numerical milestones.

From ProPublica

For each of the questions below, provide a numerical range with the bottom end below your best guess and the high end above your best guess.

From Quartz

A numerical data set helps physicians and other doctors know when to order scans of any kind.

From The Daily Beast

Shares of the youth-oriented social-media company push past an important numerical barrier.

From The Daily Beast

He has no illusions about the status of his numerical designation.

From The Daily Beast

While there are several numerical pathways to electoral victory for either man, the math is harder for Romney without Ohio.

From The Daily Beast

In other words, the bulk of the serious numerical evidence is that Virginia isn't even a swing state.

From The Daily Beast

As “t” stands for 1, and o and y are vowels, and have no figure value, the numerical value of Toy must be 1.

From Project Gutenberg

Good clothes, quiet demeanour, and numerical smallness are the striking characteristics.

From Project Gutenberg

It was itself an appeal to the discontent of the numerical majority, not invested with a share in the government.

From Project Gutenberg

It was the only one of Napoleon's great engagements in which he admitted his numerical superiority to his enemy.

From Project Gutenberg

Guichen was joined by a Spanish fleet which gave him a great numerical superiority.

From Project Gutenberg