twenty

noun

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

Examples of twenty in a Sentence

Tomorrow the temperature will be in the low twenties.

Recent Examples on the Web

Closest to the stage stood a crowd that, at first glance, looked impossibly young — late teens, early twenties. —Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 9 Mar. 2026

The last time happened after a friends-with-benefits situation, with an extremely buck August Leo who was in his late twenties, ten years younger than you. —Addie Citchens, New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2026

Roniel Milian, a data entry specialist for a medical insurance company, is in his mid-twenties in pursuit of a bachelor’s in economics. —Adrian Diaz-Alejo, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2026

The operatives, mostly men and women in their late twenties, sat in a circle in the spartan safe house with a single, small light and no furniture. —Jason Burke, Time, 27 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

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

Kids Definition

twenty

noun

twen·​ty ˈtwent-ē 

plural twenties

: a number equal to two times 10 see number

twenty adjective or pronoun