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

Suárez, 33, hit a bases-empty homer in the second inning, a two-run homer in a four-run fourth when the Diamondbacks took a 5-2 lead, and another solo homer in the sixth, a 443-foot drive that chased Holmes from the game. —David O'Brien, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2025

Marlins starter Cal Quantrill (2-2) allowed just one hit through the first five innings before the Mariners struck in the sixth. —Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2025

The lone blemish was another homer by Beck, a solo shot in the sixth. —Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2025

Along with the 26th pick — which Snead might opt to trade back from — the Rams have two picks in the third round, one in the fourth and four in the sixth. —Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025

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