Roman numeral

noun

1. one of the numerals in the ancient Roman system of notation, still used for certain limited purposes, as in some pagination, dates on buildings, etc. The common basic symbols are I (=1), V (=5), X (=10), L (=50), C (=100), D (=500), and M (=1000). The Roman numerals for one to nine are: I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX. A bar over a letter multiplies it by 1000; thus, X̅ equals 10,000. Integers are written according to these two rules: If a letter is immediately followed by one of equal or lesser value, the two values are added; thus, XX equals 20, XV equals 15, VI equals 6. If a letter is immediately followed by one of greater value, the first is subtracted from the second; thus, IV equals 4, XL equals 40, CM equals 900. Examples: XLVII(=47), CXVI(=116), MCXX(=1120), MCMXIV(=1914). Roman numerals may be written in lowercase letters, though they appear more commonly in capitals.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Roman numeral¹

First recorded in 1725–35

Example Sentences

It can come off a little pretentious, with its Roman numeral “chapter” titles, nervous zoom shots and ponderous voice-overs.

From Los Angeles Times

V.XXVII, the Roman numerals for May twenty-seventh, my birthday.

From Literature

A gift from the French, the sculpture holds a tablet inscribed with the date July 4, 1776 in Roman numerals, representing independence.

From Salon

A photo of the sticker that oversight officials spotted outside the Lynwood jail, for example, showed the skeletal figure ripping through a logo with the letters CEN and the Roman numeral 21.

From Los Angeles Times

His suggestion: a red jacket with a patch on the breast pocket featuring the Lombardi Trophy and the Roman numerals of the Super Bowls that quarterback won.

From Los Angeles Times