SINCE 1828
dictionary
thesaurus
view recents

thirty-eight

noun
Save Word
thir·​ty-eight | \ ˌthər-tē-ˈāt How to pronounce thirty-eight (audio) \

Definition of thirty-eight

1 : a number that is one more than 37 — see Table of Numbers
2 : a .38 caliber handgun —usually written .38

Other Words from thirty-eight

thirty-eight adjective
thirty-eight pronoun, plural in construction

First Known Use of thirty-eight

circa 1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about thirty-eight

Time Traveler for thirty-eight

Time Traveler

The first known use of thirty-eight was circa 1541

See more words from the same year

Statistics for thirty-eight

Cite this Entry

“Thirty-eight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thirty-eight. Accessed 4 Mar. 2021.

Style: MLA
MLA Chicago APA Merriam-Webster

Comments on thirty-eight

What made you want to look up thirty-eight? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

smorgasbord

Listen to the pronunciation of smorgasbord

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

February 2021 Words of the Day Quiz

  • squirrel in winter
  • Which is a synonym of perdure?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Typeshift

Anagram puzzles meet word search.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games