twenty

[ twen-tee, twuhn- ]

noun

, plural twen·ties.

1. a cardinal number, 10 times 2.
2. a symbol for this number, as 20 or XX.
3. a set of this many persons or things.
4. Informal. a twenty-dollar bill:

   Can you give me two tens for a twenty?

5. twenties, the numbers, years, degrees, or the like, from 20 through 29, as in referring to numbered streets, indicating the years of a lifetime or of a century, or referring to degrees of temperature:

   He lives in the West Twenties. She's in her early twenties. The temperature must be in the high twenties today.

6. Also 20. Slang. location; ten-twenty ( def ):

   What’s your twenty?

adjective

1. amounting to 20 in number.

twenty

/ ˈtwɛntɪ /

noun

1. the cardinal number that is the product of ten and two; a score See also number
2. a numeral, 20, XX, etc, representing this number
3. something representing, represented by, or consisting of 20 units

determiner

1. 1. amounting to twenty

      twenty questions

   2. ( as pronoun )

      to order twenty

Word History and Origins

Origin of twenty¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English twēntig; cognate with Old Frisian tw(e)intich, Old High German zweinzug ( German zwanzig ), Gothic twai tigjus two tens

Word History and Origins

Origin of twenty¹

Old English twēntig ; related to Old High German zweinzug , German zwanzig

Example Sentences

"Twenty years ago, if you were to say to me that I'd be in a wheelchair, I'd be like 'Nah mate, it's all right. I'd rather go.'"

From BBC

“I’ve had cases where the couple was together for over twenty years, cohabitating, referring to each other as husband and wife, but this meant very little when one partner needed a guardian and then passed away. The other partner had no say in these legal proceedings, as they had no legal relationship,” said Fresard.

From Salon

In a departure from speculative narratives, Timothy Snyder's "On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century" made the top 10, reports CBS News.

From Salon

Twenty men were part of Pochettino’s first camp as coach last month when the U.S. split its two matches, beating Panama in Austin before losing to Mexico in Guadalajara.

From Los Angeles Times

“After more than twenty years of leadership at three great universities,” Folt wrote to the USC community, “I am excited to embrace the freedom that comes with a next big leap, and to pass the baton to the next president who will be able to build upon our accomplishments and create a new chapter for this extraordinary institution.”

From Los Angeles Times