by-numbers

by-Num·bers

B b

Transcription

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [bahy nuhm-berz]
- /baɪ ˈnʌm bərz/

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [bahy nuhm-berz]
- /baɪ ˈnʌm bərz/

Definitions of by-numbers word

adjective by-numbers done in an uninspired, simplistic, or formulaic way 3
noun by-numbers (of a drill procedure, etc) performed step by step, each move being made on the call of a number 3
noun by-numbers a numeral or group of numerals. 1
noun by-numbers the sum, total, count, or aggregate of a collection of units, or the like: A number of people were hurt in the accident. The number of homeless children in the city has risen alarmingly. 1
noun by-numbers a word or symbol, or a combination of words or symbols, used in counting or in noting a total. 1
noun by-numbers the particular numeral assigned to an object so as to designate its place in a series: house number; license number. 1

See all 46 definitions of by-numbers

Information block about the term

Origin of by-numbers

First appearance:

before 1250

One of the 11% oldest English words

1250-1300; 1940-45 for def 23; (noun) Middle English, variant of nombre < Old French < Latin numerus; (v.) Middle English nombren < Old French nombrer < Latin numerāre (derivative of numerus)

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for By-numbers

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

Full grammatical hierarchy of By-numbers

by-numbers popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 98% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.

Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".