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by the numbers

by the Num·bers
B b

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [bahy stressed th ee nuhm-berz]
    • /baɪ stressed ði ˈnʌm bərz/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [bahy stressed th ee nuhm-berz]
    • /baɪ stressed ði ˈnʌm bərz/

Definitions of by the numbers words

  • noun by the numbers in prescribed sequence of movements and accompanied by a count 3
  • noun by the numbers in a mechanical, unthinking way 3
  • noun by the numbers a numeral or group of numerals. 1
  • noun by the 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 the numbers a word or symbol, or a combination of words or symbols, used in counting or in noting a total. 1
  • noun by the numbers the particular numeral assigned to an object so as to designate its place in a series: house number; license number. 1
See all 48 definitions of by the numbers

Information block about the term

Origin of by the 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 the numbers

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
Full grammatical hierarchy of By the numbers

by the 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".

by the numbers usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for by the numbers

adv by the numbers

  • according to hoyle — according to the rules and regulations; in the prescribed, fair, or correct way
  • gospel — the teachings of Jesus and the apostles; the Christian revelation.
  • indisputable — not disputable or deniable; uncontestable. indisputable evidence.
  • by the book — according to the rules; in the prescribed or usual way
All 4 Synonyms of by the numbers

See also

Matching words

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