dozen

¹

[ duhz-uhn ]

noun

, plural doz·ens, (as after a numeral) doz·en.

1. a group of 12.
2. the dozens, Slang. a ritualized game typically engaged in by two persons each of whom attempts to outdo the other in insults directed against members of the other's family (usually used in the phrase play the dozens ).

adjective

1. twelve.

dozen

²

[ doh-zuhn ]

verb (used with object)

, Scot.

1. to stun.

dozen

/ ˈdʌzən /

determiner

1. preceded bya or a numeral
   1. twelve or a group of twelve

      a dozen eggs

      two dozen oranges

   2. ( as pronoun; functioning as sing or plural )

      give me a dozen

      there are at least a dozen who haven't arrived yet

noun

1. by the dozen
   in large quantities
2. See baker's dozen
3. talk nineteen to the dozen
   to talk without stopping

Derived Forms

• ˈdozenth, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dozen¹

1250–1300; Middle English dozeine < Old French do ( u ) zaine, equivalent to do ( u ) ze (< Latin duodecim ) + -aine (< Latin -āna ) -an

Origin of dozen²

1325–75; Middle English (Scots); doze ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of dozen¹

C13: from Old French douzaine, from douze twelve, from Latin duodecim, from duo two + decem ten

Idioms and Phrases

see baker's dozen ; by the dozen ; daily dozen ; dime a dozen ; six of one, half dozen of the other .

Example Sentences

The trial, which began on Friday, included testimony from more than a dozen law enforcement officers, Ms Riley's former roommate and a woman who lived in the same apartment as Ibarra.

From BBC

Smyth, a barrister and senior member of a Christian charity, was accused of attacking dozens of boys, including those he met in the UK in the 1970s and 1980s.

From BBC

The 10-year-old’s letters and notebook were seized by police after her body was found with dozens of injuries at the family’s home in Woking, Surrey, last year.

From BBC

The IDF said in a statement on Monday that its forces had killed "dozens of terrorists in close-quarters encounters and through targeted strikes" in the Beit Lahia area over the past week.

From BBC

Everyone in her group was laden with two or three cone-shaped bundles — a couple dozen each of ranunculus, sweet peas, lisianthus, Queen Anne’s lace, spray roses and large roses in ivory and white.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• twelve
• xii