numerical

adjective

nu·​mer·​i·​cal nu̇-ˈmer-i-kəl 

nyu̇-

1

: of or relating to numbers

the numerical superiority of the enemy

2

: expressed in or involving numbers or a number system

numerical standing in a class

a numerical code

numerically

nu̇-ˈmer-i-k(ə-)lē 

nyu̇-

adverb

Examples of numerical in a Sentence

The files are organized according to a numerical system.

The files are in numerical order.

Recent Examples on the Web

Often used to develop large language models (LLMs), RLHF works by giving the model a reward in the form of a numerical value which tells the model how good its response was. —Arianna Huffington, Time, 14 Jan. 2026

Yet even with such limited hardware, bees could grasp numerical ideas. —Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 11 Jan. 2026

Unclear as to whether or not the burgeoning numerical sequence to her work has a hidden meaning, but there’s only one way to find out. —Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026

Line spools up in numerical order from right to left, with the taller spool in the middle or on the left. —Janna Oberdorf, Parents, 15 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin numerus number entry 1 + -ical

First Known Use

1628, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing numerical

• numerical analysis
• numerical taxonomy

Rhymes for numerical

• chimerical
• hysterical
• anticlerical
• hemispherical
• clerical
• spherical

Kids Definition

numerical

adjective

nu·​mer·​i·​cal n(y)u̇-ˈmer-i-kəl 

1

: of or relating to numbers

2

: shown in or involving numbers or a number system

numerical order

numerically

-k(ə-)lē 

adverb