plural sixths
ˈsiks(ts),
ˈsiks(t)ths How to pronounce sixth (audio)
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 How to pronounce sixth (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The only run in the first eight innings that couldn’t be prevented was a solo home run by Freddie Freeman in the sixth. Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 14 Oct. 2025 Perhaps Suárez’s biggest pitch of the night was an 0-1 slider to Max Muncy with two runners on in the sixth. Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025 That brings the overall fundraising to about one-sixth of the amount needed. Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Oct. 2025 Casey Mize, meanwhile, needed only 59 pitches to bulldoze his way the first five innings; 60, after Duran’s first-pitch leadoff groundout in the sixth. Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 27 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sixth

Word History

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sixth was in the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sixth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sixth. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

sixth

noun
ˈsiks(t)th How to pronounce sixth (audio)
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 How to pronounce sixth (audio)
ˈsikst-
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on sixth

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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