Word part · Latin root
Numer root words: meaning and 10 examples
In short
The Latin root numer (from Latin) means "number". Words with it include numeral, numerals, numerous, numerical, numeric and numerically. A numeral is a symbol for a number, and numerous means a great number of something.
- Part
- numer
- Meaning
- number
- Origin
- Latin
- Words listed
- 10
A numeral is a symbol for a number, and numerous means a great number of something.
Words with the Latin root numer
The list runs from shorter, common words to longer ones. The bands are a rough guide built from syllable count and how common each word is in our word list, not a grade-level standard. Read each word, then its word sum.
Colors:prefixroot or basesuffix
Next: longer words (about grades 5 and 6)
| Word | Word sum | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| numeral | numer (root or base)+al (suffix)→numeral | a symbol that stands for a number |
| numerals | numer (root or base)+al (suffix)+s (suffix)→numerals | more than one numeral |
| numerous | numer (root or base)+ous (suffix)→numerous | a great number of; many |
| numerical | numer (root or base)+ic (suffix)+al (suffix)→numerical | having to do with numbers |
| numeric | numer (root or base)+ic (suffix)→numeric | made of numbers |
Stretch: long or less common words (about grades 7 and 8)
| Word | Word sum | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| numerically | numer (root or base)+ic (suffix)+al (suffix)+ly (suffix)→numerically | by number, in number order |
| numerator | numer (root or base)+ator (suffix)→numerator | the top number of a fraction, which counts the parts |
| innumerable | in (prefix)+numer (root or base)+able (suffix)→innumerable | too many to count |
More words: enumerate, numeracy
Where does numer sit in a word?
A root can come first, last or in the middle. Students who only look at the start of a word miss half of these.
- At the start:
- numeral, numerals, numerous, numerical, numeric, numerically, numerator
- In the middle:
- innumerable
How do you teach the root numer?
Numeral and number are the anchors. Show a few numerals, Roman and Arabic, and ask what they stand for. Numerous then means a great number of. In math, numerator is the number that counts the parts, which is why it sits on top of a fraction. Students who learn that the numerator counts and the denominator names the size of the parts stop flipping them as often.
A quick routine
Say, "Numer means number. Every word today is about counting or numbers." Show numeral, numerous, numerical, numerator and innumerable. The student reads each, points to numer, and tells how numbers fit: a symbol, many, in order, counting parts, too many to count. Then write a fraction and ask, "Which number is the numerator, and what does it count?" The student answers in a sentence.
What do students mix up with numer?
Number itself comes from this root but lost its e and gained a b on its way through French, so students rarely spot it. Numb and numbness are not related at all. Innumerable can confuse students who expect in to mean into; here it means not, so not able to be numbered.
For the sounds inside these words, see the phonics word lists. Routines that fit: meanings of prefixes and suffixes, circle the parts, read the base and flexible routine for big words.
Questions people ask
What does the root numer mean?
Numer means "number". It is a Latin root. A numeral is a symbol for a number, and numerous means a great number of something.
What are some words with the root numer?
Start with numeral, numerals, numerous and numerical. Then move to numerically and numerator. This page lists 10 words in all, most with a word sum that shows the parts.
Why is it called a numerator?
The numerator counts how many parts you have, and numer means number. In three fourths, the 3 is the numerator: it counts three of the parts.
Related word parts
- in-not
- -ousfull of, or having
- -ichaving to do with, or like
- uni-one
- -alhaving to do with
- -ablecan be, or able to be
Terms on this page: morpheme, root, prefix, suffix, base word, word sum, morphology.
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