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 Rockies finally came away with their first hit of the game and their second of the series when Kyle Karros ripped a single to left field, just over the head of third baseman Max Muncy in the sixth. Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025 The Twins scored their three runs via the long ball with Outman’s second home run of the series putting them on the board in the third and Byron Buxton’s 31st blast of the season, an opposite-field shot to right in the sixth to tie the game. Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 10 Sep. 2025 In practical terms, Bender says that could mean traveling from Amsterdam to Barcelona, a distance of 768 miles, in about eight hours without a single change, and with a carbon footprint that would be about one-sixth of a flight. Everett Potter, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025 Colorado finally got on the scoreboard in the sixth. Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 9 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

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Cite this Entry

“Sixth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sixth. Accessed 13 Sep. 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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