numerology

noun

nu·​mer·​ol·​o·​gy ˌnü-mə-ˈrä-lə-jē How to pronounce numerology (audio)
ˌnyü-
: the study of the occult significance of numbers
numerological adjective
numerologist noun

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As an element of astrology and fortune-telling, numerology has long been employed to predict future events. For many early Christians, 3 represented the Trinity, 6 represented earthly perfection, and 7 represented heavenly perfection; and still today, many of us like to group things into sets of 3 or 7, for no particular reason. Numerology has also been used to interpret personality; in particular, numerologists may assign numbers to each letter of a person's name and use the resulting figures, along with the person's date of birth, as a guide to his or her character.

Examples of numerology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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This is their ninth album; people into numerology—like Prodigy—view nine as a number of completion. Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 13 Oct. 2025 Appearing on Tuesday’s broadcast – Meyers’ 1,713th episode, a number that fittingly adds up to 12, matching Swift’s 12th studio album (and nodding to her lucky 13) – was appropriate to the numerology that’s followed her entire career. Haley Kluge, Variety, 9 Oct. 2025 Meyers mentioned Swift loved numerology and asked her to add meaning to the 1713 episode. Bryan West, USA Today, 9 Oct. 2025 Swiftian numerology is all over—one fan picked apart individual promo photos to interrogate why a tiny image within the image shows Swift standing next to two exit signs instead of one. Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for numerology

Word History

Etymology

Latin numerus number entry 1+ -o- + -logy

First Known Use

circa 1907, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of numerology was circa 1907

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Cite this Entry

“Numerology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/numerology. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.

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