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

Understanding why requires some basic order-of-magnitude numerical thinking about the varying amounts of sound-sustaining stuff in space. —Phil Plait, Scientific American, 25 Apr. 2025

Riccardo Sabbatini is a numerical modeling specialist who works on drug discovery and more. —John Werner, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025

In an early scene, poor Christian attends a dating event, having gamed the system, with his perfect numerical logic, so that all the potential lovelies are lined up at his table. —Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 24 Apr. 2025

The basic Keypad bundle includes Yale's numerical Keypad, but the biometric Keypad Touch bundle has the numerical keypad and a fingerprint scanner. —Nena Farrell, Wired News, 23 Apr. 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