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

The couple began as friends after meeting in their twenties. —Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 16 Dec. 2024

With their two daughters now in their twenties and having left home, the couple are free to travel more — though neither envisaged Wrexham being among their regular destinations. —Richard Sutcliffe, The Athletic, 13 Dec. 2024

For some context: Starting in our twenties, our skin’s production of collagen and elastin—the proteins responsible for resilience and bounce—starts to slow down. —Emily Orofino, Allure, 29 Oct. 2024

By the fall of 1969, Bernard, then in his early twenties, was living in Jersey City, New Jersey. —Sarah Weinman, Rolling Stone, 1 Dec. 2024

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

Kids Definition

twenty

noun

twen·​ty ˈtwent-ē 

plural twenties

: a number equal to two times 10 see number

twenty adjective or pronoun