sixth

noun

ˈsiks(t)th  ˈsiks(t) 

plural sixths

ˈsiks(ts), 

ˈsiks(t)ths 

1

: one that is number six in a series

We'll be arriving on the sixth.

Her office is the sixth on the left.

see Table of Numbers

2

: one of six equal parts of something

one sixth of the total

3

a

: a musical interval embracing six diatonic degrees

b

: a tone at this interval

specifically : submediant

c

: the harmonic combination of two tones a sixth apart

sixth adjective or adverb

the book's sixth chapter

the state's sixth largest city

sixthly

ˈsiksth-lē 

ˈsikst-

adverb

Sixthly, don't let your screaming tenor soar an octave above all the balance of the chorus …

—Mark Twain

Examples of sixth in a Sentence

Only about a sixth of the town voted for her.

Recent Examples on the Web

Same old Max, blasting a ball over the right-field fence in the sixth to give the Dodgers a 5-1 lead. — Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026

For places like Boise and Tucson Jupiter will appear only about one-sixth of the moon's diameter above the moon's dim earth lit rim. — Joe Rao, Space.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Last year, the UK imported more than 50% of its diesel supply, around a sixth of that from the US. — Will Barker, TheWeek, 1 Oct. 2026

Cleveland also belted two homers — by Daniel Schneemann and Jo Adell — to tie the game at 2 in the sixth. — Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sixth

• sixth chord
• sixth form
• sixth form college
• sixth sense

Kids Definition

sixth

noun

ˈsiks(t)th 

ˈsiks(t)

plural sixths

1

: one that is number six in a series see number

2

: the difference in pitch between the first tone and the sixth tone of a scale

sixth adjective or adverb

sixthly

ˈsiksth-lē 

ˈsikst-

adverb