twenty

1 of 3

noun (1)

twen·​ty ˈtwen-tē  ˈtwən- 

plural twenties

1

: a number equal to two times 10 see Table of Numbers

2

twenties plural : the numbers 20 to 29

specifically : the years 20 to 29 in a lifetime or century

3

: a 20-dollar bill

twentieth

ˈtwen-tē-əth 

ˈtwən-

adjective or noun

twenty adjective

twenty pronoun, plural in construction

twentieth

2 of 3

adjective

twen·​ti·​eth ˈtwentēə̇th 

-ntiə̇th, 

in rapid speech sometimes -wənē- or -ni-

1

: being number 20 in a countable series

the twentieth day

see Table of Numbers

2

: being one of 20 equal parts into which something is divisible

a twentieth share of the money

twentieth

3 of 3

noun (2)

"

plural -s

1

: number 20 in a countable series

the twentieth of the month

2

: the quotient of a unit divided by 20 : one of 20 equal parts of something

one twentieth of the total

Examples of twenty in a Sentence

Noun (1)

Tomorrow the temperature will be in the low twenties.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Rae and Cherica During his teens and early twenties, Carruth had relationships with a number of women. — Charlotte Observer, 22 June 2026

The very busy man paused to chat with Condé Nast Traveler about flying first class in his early twenties, the passion of his fans in Brazil, and why more people need to give Dubai a chance. — Kaitlin Menza, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 June 2026

In his late twenties, Léandre was invited to play for the national team. — Jason Motlagh, Rolling Stone, 22 June 2026

Undav did not grow up as a member of German football’s elite and was playing in the third division with SV Meppen in his early twenties. — Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 21 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from twenty, adjective, from Old English twēntig, noun, group of 20, from twēn- (akin to Old English twā two) + -tig group of 10; akin to Old English tīen ten — more at two, ten

Adjective

Middle English twentithe, from Old English twentigotha, from twentig twenty + -otha -th

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing twenty

• twenty-four hours a day
• twenty-fourmo
• twenty-four seven
• twenty-one
• twenty-twenty
• twenty-twenty hindsight
• twenty-twenty vision
• twenty-two

Rhymes for twenty

• mentee
• plenty
• senti
• aplenty
• placentae

Kids Definition

twenty

noun

twen·​ty ˈtwent-ē 

plural twenties

: a number equal to two times 10 see number

twenty adjective or pronoun