forty

for·ty

noun \ˈfȯr-tē\

plural forties

Definition of FORTY

1

: a number equal to four times 10 — see number table

2

plural : the numbers 40 to 49; specifically : the years 40 to 49 in a lifetime or century

3

: the third point scored by a side in a game of tennis

— for·ti·eth \ˈfȯr-tē-əth\ adjective or noun

— forty adjective

— forty pronoun, plural in construction

— for·ty·ish \-tē-ish\ adjective

Examples of FORTY

1. The temperature outside is in the high forties.
2. She is in her forties.

Origin of FORTY

Middle English fourty, adjective, from Old English fēowertig, from fēowertig group of 40, from fēower four + -tig group of 10; akin to Old English tīen ten

First Known Use: before 12th century

Other Number-Related Terms

jubilee, myriad, quarantine, score, twain

Rhymes with FORTY

shorty, sortie, sporty, warty