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

When Bayern were pursuing him in the summer, one of the common reactions was to criticise their willingness to pay such a high fee for a player in his late twenties. —Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025

In her early twenties, Russell scored her first breakthrough role—and was met with a blast of It Girl publicity that nearly knocked her over. —Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025

Or even in my light the world on fire twenties (or gasp, thirties). —Rochelle Ratkaj, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2025

Power and wealth are consolidating in very few pockets, while Democrats keep pinging me for tens and twenties. —Sarah Stankorb, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025

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