numerology

American  

[noo-muh-rol-uh-jee, nyoo-] / ˌnu məˈrɒl ə dʒi, ˌnyu- /

noun

1. the study of numbers, as the figures designating the year of one's birth, to determine their supposed influence on one's life, future, etc.

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numerology British  

/ ˌnjuːməˈrɒlədʒɪ, ˌnjuːmərəˈlɒdʒɪkəl /

noun

1. the study of numbers, such as the figures in a birth date, and of their supposed influence on human affairs

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Other Word Forms

• numerological adjective
• numerologist noun

Etymology

Origin of numerology

1910–15; < Latin numer ( us ) number + -o- + -logy

Example Sentences

The explanation is hard to untangle for those who aren’t true numerology zealots.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

It was as a young woman that she changed her name from Susan to Sussan, inspired by numerology - an ancient belief that numbers have a mystical impact on people's lives.

From BBC • May 12, 2025

"The numerology of this complicated physics puzzle requires quite some patience," says Haoyun Huang, Csathy's PhD student.

From Science Daily • Feb. 21, 2024

That’s how I learned 2024 is an “eight” year in numerology: When you add each digit in 2024 you reach a total of eight, making this an auspicious year to take action.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 10, 2024

Numerology Less worrisome than inaccurate tests is numerology, the last pseudoscience I want to discuss, and my favorite.

From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos