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, Thorn boxed professionally, as a middleweight, ultimately fighting Roberto Durán, a five-time world champ, before turning to a career as a guitarist and singer. —Hilton Als, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026

Our demographic is very broad, and ranges from early twenties to late eighties. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 2026

McDonough and Stewart’s long-brewing relationship, which began when McDonough profiled the singer for The Village Voice in the late eighties, eschewed the formality or distance of a traditional journalist and subject. —Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 17 Mar. 2026

In New Zealand, Māori men are famously afflicted — by their eighties, nearly half may have (or have had) gout. —Jan Steyn, The Dial, 10 Mar. 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