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 the eighties, cinema would gravitate toward clear messages and sleek blockbusters, many of them action movies. — Leo Lasdun, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2026

Now, in his mid-eighties, the man behind the voice was still completely lucid. — Literary Hub, 30 July 2026

Also distinctive is Hotel Wailea’s rich cultural story, stemming from its days as a Japanese private members club, founded in the eighties. — Ronee Uyeshiro, Travel + Leisure, 26 July 2026

At times during the current heatwave, nighttime temperatures lingered in the eighties or near ninety. — Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 25 June 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