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

Or will that interim generation of players in their late twenties essentially get skipped for a newer generation, such as Mandy Haught or Shelby Hogan – or even a young Teagan Wy? —Jeff Rueter, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024

Having spent much of her twenties in London, and the past year traveling across multiple countries with stop-offs back home, McGowan is now in Scotland—and her dog's reaction says it all. —Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024

The symphony premièred two hundred years ago in Vienna, when Beethoven’s deafness, which began in his late twenties, had become severe. —The New Yorker, 20 Dec. 2024

The early years of a professional’s career—from their twenties to mid-thirties—are formative for building skills, behaviors, and confidence. —David Nour, Forbes, 5 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