eighty

noun

ˈā-tē 

plural eighties

1

: a number that is equal to eight times 10 see Table of Numbers

2

eighties plural : the numbers 80 to 89

specifically : the years 80 to 89 in a lifetime or century

eightieth

ˈā-tē-əth 

adjective or noun

eighty adjective

eighty pronoun, plural in construction

Examples of eighty in a Sentence

The temperature rose to the high eighties.

She is in her mid-eighties.

Recent Examples on the Web

In a longer American life—one that now routinely extends into the early eighties—the forties are barely the midpoint. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2026

An eccentric burnout, someone for whom the eighties had been dazzling but dimming at the same time. —Douglas Stuart, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026

In the mid-eighties, Bambaataa appeared as himself in the movie Beat Street. —Tom Tapp, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2026

And soon, an explosion of violence takes place which catapults us back through their lives, from the eighties to the present day. —Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English eighty, adjective, from Old English eahtatig, short for hundeahtatig, noun, group of eighty, from hund-, literally, hundred + eahta eight + -tig group of ten; akin to Old English tīen ten

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing eighty

• eighty-six
• ten-eighty

Rhymes for eighty

• kati
• katy
• platy
• slaty
• weighty

Kids Definition

eighty

noun

ˈāt-ē 

plural eighties

: a number that is equal to eight times 10 see number

eightieth

-ē-əth 

adjective or noun

eighty adjective or pronoun