numerical

American  

[noo-mer-i-kuhl, nyoo-] / nuˈmɛr ɪ kəl, nyu- /

Also numeric

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.

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numerical British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• numerically
  adverb
• numericalness
  noun
• unnumerical
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of numerical

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

Explanation

Anything numerical is related to numbers or can be expressed in numbers. Your height is a numerical concept, but your love for your friends is not. You will learn many numerical concepts in math class: anything that has to do with numbers in any way can be referred to as numerical. Mathematicians deal with numerical issues, but poets do not — unless they're counting syllables, which is numerical because it involves numbers. Some people are better with numerical concepts than others — like accountants, statisticians, and math teachers.

Example Sentences

Sole would be first as leader and then the rest would fall in behind in numerical order.

From BBC • May 17, 2026

Recent articles in the Naval Institute’s Proceedings argue that letters of marque would be essential in alleviating the vast numerical asymmetry between the U.S. and Chinese fleets in the event of a war.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026

Photographs of a guest’s face taken at the entrance to Disneyland and California Adventure are run through biometric technology to convert the images into unique numerical values.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026

It requires assigning a numerical value to quality improvements, which varies highly by individual preference or income.

From Slate • Apr. 24, 2026

We may conclude...that any change in the numerical proportions of some of the inhabitants, independently of the change of climate itself, would most seriously affect many of the others.

From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly