numerate

Numerate is a word with both verb and adjective uses. As a verb, to numerate means to count or assign numbers to items, to compute values, or to enumerate a set of items. In mathematical or data-handling contexts, numerating a list involves labeling each item with a numeral or representing quantities numerically. The term can also appear in the sense of counting or numbering steps, entries, or elements within a sequence.

As an adjective, numerate describes a person or a set of skills characterized by numerical literacy. A numerate individual is able to understand, interpret, and work with numbers, perform basic arithmetic, and reason quantitatively about data. In education and employment contexts, being numerate is often viewed as essential alongside literacy. The phrase numerate skills is common in discussions of curricula, assessment, and workplace competencies.

Etymology and related terms: numerate derives from Latin numerus, meaning number, via the verb numerare, to count. Related terms include numeration (the process of counting or assigning numbers), numerical (expressed as numbers), and enumerate (to mention items one by one). While closely related, enumerate emphasizes listing, whereas numerate emphasizes working with numbers.

Usage notes: In British English, “to be numerate” is a standard expression for possessing numerical competence, whereas American usage may more frequently say “numerical skills” or simply “good with numbers.” The term should not be confused with enumerate in contexts where the emphasis is on listing items rather than on numerical ability.