* Adjective: Describes a noun, indicating a quantity. Example: "There were eight kittens in the basket."
* Noun: Refers to the number itself. Example: "The number eight is my lucky number."
* Numeral: Represents a specific numerical value. Example: "I have eight apples."
The most common usage is as a numeral, but it can also function as an adjective or noun depending on the sentence structure.