twenty

noun twen·ty \ ˈtwen-tē , ˈtwən- \

Updated on: 21 May 2018

Definition of twenty

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

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twentieth

play \-tē-əth\ adjective or noun

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twenty

adjective

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twenty

pronoun, plural in construction

See twenty defined for English-language learners

See twenty defined for kids

Examples of twenty in a Sentence

Tomorrow the temperature will be in the low twenties.

Recent Examples of twenty from the Web

Lempicka hit her stride as an artist during the roaring twenties, with her distinctive pieces mixing elements of Cubism and neoclassical styles.

— refinery29.com, "Google Honors Tamara de Lempicka, A Leading Painter Of The Roaring Twenties," 16 May 2018
These cognitive abilities do not mature until the mid-twenties, according to a study published in the journal Developmental Science.

— ashley mizuo, Chicago Reader, "News / Politics Are 16-year-olds smart enough to vote? Vote16 Illinois thinks so," 7 May 2018
Believed to be in her late twenties or early thirties, little is known about Ri's early life or family.

— james griffiths, CNN, "Where is Kim Jong Un's wife, Ri Sol Ju?," 26 Apr. 2018
My weight didn’t cause my health problems, but finding myself with a mysterious ailment in my twenties changed my perspective on my health.

— yvette d'entremont, SELF, "I Lost 90 Pounds. Maintaining That Weight Loss Was Harder.," 1 May 2018
African-American women such as LaQuita Bell, a millennial in her late twenties, are ready to roll up their sleeves.

— Essence.com, "Can She Turn A Red State Blue? Stacey Abrams Intends To In Georgia," 26 Apr. 2018
As a matter of fact, right before Murray said that, there was a row of guys in their twenties who did leave their seats, never to return.

— piet levy, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Bill Murray faces mortality and makes 'em laugh at wonderful Milwaukee concert," 18 Apr. 2018
Furthermore, although these studies included individuals aged 18—61, the mean age of participants in both studies was mid-twenties.

— cindi may, Scientific American, "How To Reconcile With A Romantic Partner," 17 Apr. 2018
In her book, Heaney explores the topic of coming out as LGBTQ+ in her twenties.

— katie heaney, Seventeen, "My First Queer Kiss Didn't Really Tell Me Whether or Not I Was Gay," 27 Mar. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of twenty

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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TWENTY Defined for English Language Learners

twenty

noun

Definition of twenty for English Language Learners

: the number 20
: the 20th in a set or series
twenties : the numbers ranging from 20 to 29

TWENTY Defined for Kids

twenty

adjective twen·ty \ ˈtwen-tē \

Definition of twenty for Students

: being one more than 19

One dollar equals twenty nickels.

twenty

noun

Definition of twenty for Students

: one more than 19 : four times five : 20

Learn More about twenty

See words that rhyme with twenty Spanish Central: Translation of twenty Nglish: Translation of twenty for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of twenty for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about twenty

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twenty

Definition of twenty

twentieth

twenty

twenty

Examples of twenty in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of twenty

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TWENTY Defined for English Language Learners

twenty

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