forty

noun

for·​ty ˈfȯr-tē 

plural forties

1

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

2

forties plural : the numbers 40 to 49

specifically : the years 40 to 49 in a lifetime or century

3

: the third point scored by a side in a game of tennis

4

or 40 US, informal : a forty-ounce bottle or other container of an alcoholic beverage (such as beer or malt liquor)

Kelvin finished his forty in seven or eight long gulps. Tossed the bottle in the median carpeted with brown grass.

—Dave Byrne

… smoking weed and drinking 40s while her kids run loose.

—Jim Schutze

fortieth

ˈfȯr-tē-əth 

adjective or noun

forty adjective

forty pronoun, plural in construction

fortyish

ˈfȯr-tē-ish 

adjective

Examples of forty in a Sentence

The temperature outside is in the high forties.

She is in her forties.

Recent Examples on the Web

In Luca Guadagnino’s Superb Literary Adaptation – Venice Film Festival Venice Film Festival 2024: All Of Deadline’s Movie Reviews Craig plays William Lee, an American ex-pat in his late forties who leads a solitary life amidst a small working-class and collegiate community in 1950s Mexico City. —Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2024

Harry is kicking off his forties with a focus on fatherhood. —Rachel Burchfield, Peoplemag, 15 Sep. 2024

As Harry enters his forties, those in his inner circle paint a picture of a happy life. —Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 15 Sep. 2024

Some of the women who pursue professional achievement end up trying to get pregnant in their late thirties and forties, however, and may not be able to do so without medical assistance. —Emma Green, The New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English fourty, adjective, from Old English fēowertig, from fēowertig group of 40, from fēower four + -tig group of 10; akin to Old English tīen ten

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing forty

• forty-five
• forty-niner
• forty winks

Kids Definition

forty

noun

for·​ty ˈfȯrt-ē 

plural forties

: a number equal to four times 10 see number

fortieth

-ē-əth 

adjective or noun

forty adjective or pronoun

fortyish

-ē-ish 

adjective