twenty

noun

twen·​ty ˈtwen-tē How to pronounce twenty (audio) ˈtwən- How to pronounce twenty (audio)
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 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 Soon, Collins began using diet pills and laxatives, and relied on them from age 16 until her early twenties. Sam Gillette, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024 Living at home in his early twenties, Druski rearranged the family room to create an interrogation scene for a sketch. Delisa Shannon, Rolling Stone, 22 Feb. 2024 And to further complicate matters, only 9% of US automation engineers are in their twenties, while the majority of these workers are far beyond their forties, according to Zippia research. Natan Linder, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 The former can be harmful to children and generally isn’t needed until a person is in their twenties. Maggie O'Neill, Health, 15 Feb. 2024 The psychologist Jeffrey Arnett emphasizes the optimism and emergent sense of possibility that people in their twenties often feel during this period. Eric Klinenberg, TIME, 9 Feb. 2024 For anti-aging purposes, retinol is unnecessary for those who haven't reached their twenties, which is when collagen begins to decrease, Dr. Danilo Del Campo, a dermatologist in Chicago, says. USA TODAY, 26 Jan. 2024 Hassan, a charming, sophisticated Lebanese man in his late twenties, turned up on the nets wearing a conspicuously expensive leather jacket. Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 8 Jan. 2024 Production of the collagen that keeps the skin plump and firm begins to dwindle in our late twenties and early thirties, but a thoughtful daily routine can help with retaining and boosting it—without resorting to the needle. Ana Morales, Vogue, 10 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'twenty.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of twenty was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near twenty

Cite this Entry

“Twenty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/twenty. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

twenty

noun
twen·​ty ˈtwent-ē How to pronounce twenty (audio)
plural twenties
: a number equal to two times 10 see number
twenty adjective or pronoun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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