twenty

noun

twen·​ty ˈtwen-tē  ˈtwən- 

plural twenties

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 

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

The institute emerged in the nineteen-twenties, went into exile during the Nazi period, and returned to Germany after the war. —Alex Ross, New Yorker, 15 June 2026

The poll found parental tracking is more common with 18-20 year olds, compared to adults in their twenties. —Allison Aubrey, NPR, 15 June 2026

The show puts a generational lens on the wins, losses, and humiliations of being in your twenties. —Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 11 June 2026

In his twenties, MacArthur became a Disney star in adventure films like Kidnapped (1960) and Swiss Family Robinson (1960). —Louis Peitzman, Entertainment Weekly, 10 June 2026

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

Phrases Containing twenty

• twenty-four hours a day
• twenty-fourmo
• twenty-four seven
• twenty-one
• twenty-twenty
• twenty-twenty hindsight
• twenty-twenty vision
• twenty-two

Rhymes for twenty

• mentee
• plenty
• senti
• aplenty
• placentae

Kids Definition

twenty

noun

twen·​ty ˈtwent-ē 

plural twenties

: a number equal to two times 10 see number

twenty adjective or pronoun