twelve

noun \ ˈtwelv \

|Updated on: 27 Jun 2018

Examples: twelve in a Sentence

Definition of twelve

1 : a number equal to one more than 11 — see Table of Numbers

2 capitalized

a : the twelve original disciples of Jesus

b : the books of the Minor Prophets in the Jewish Scriptures

3 : the 12th in a set or series

4 : something having 12 units or members

5 twelves plural : twelvemo

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twelfth

play \ˈtwelf(t)th\ adjective or noun

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twelve

adjective

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twelve

pronoun, plural in construction

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Examples of twelve in a Sentence

“What time is it?” “It's twelve.”
I have lunch at twelve.

Recent Examples of twelve from the Web

Menswear's most aggressively suited-and-booted tradeshow is here once again, and with it, the dressed-to-the-twelves peacocks that make the biannual pilgrimage to Florence.

— dan roberts, GQ, "The Best Street Style from Pitti Uomo," 14 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'twelve.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of twelve

Middle English, from Old English twelf; akin to Old High German zwelif twelve, Old English twā two, -leofan (as in endleofan eleven) — more at two, eleven

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year