twenty

noun

twen·​ty ˈtwen-tē How to pronounce twenty (audio) ˈtwən- How to pronounce twenty (audio)
plural twenties
Synonyms of twentynext
1
: a number equal to two times 10 see Table of Numbers
2
twenties plural : the numbers 20 to 29
specifically : the years 20 to 29 in a lifetime or century
3
: a 20-dollar bill
twentieth
ˈtwen-tē-əth How to pronounce twenty (audio)
ˈtwən-
adjective or noun
twenty adjective
twenty pronoun, plural in construction

Examples of twenty in a Sentence

Tomorrow the temperature will be in the low twenties.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Governor, a paraplegic who has used a wheelchair since an accident in his twenties, was sitting toward the back of the audience, in a dark suit. — Jonathan Blitzer, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025 Francis had part of his lung removed in his twenties due to an infection, and he was briefly hospitalized for a case of bronchitis in 2023. — Joe Hernandez, NPR, 9 Mar. 2025 In her early twenties, Kelly became one of the most famous actresses in the world—and arguably the 20th century. — Elise Taylor, Vogue, 5 Mar. 2025 As a second-generation Ethiopian American, Kelela didn’t grow up listening to Mitchell, but became familiar with her music in her twenties, being drawn specifically to Mitchell’s jazz era. — Elise Brisco, Rolling Stone, 25 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for twenty

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from twenty, adjective, from Old English twēntig, noun, group of 20, from twēn- (akin to Old English twā two) + -tig group of 10; akin to Old English tīen ten — more at two, ten

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of twenty was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing twenty

Rhymes for twenty

See All Rhymes for twenty

Browse Nearby Words

twenty
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Cite this Entry

“Twenty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/twenty. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

twenty

noun
twen·​ty ˈtwent-ē How to pronounce twenty (audio)
plural twenties
: a number equal to two times 10 see number
twenty adjective or pronoun

More from Merriam-Webster on twenty

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for twenty

Nglish: Translation of twenty for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about twenty

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