ninety

UK: ˈnaɪnti | US: ˈnaɪnti

Definition

  1. n. the number equivalent to the product of nine and ten; 90.

Structure
nine <9>ty <decade suffix>
Etymology

ninety = nine<9> + ty<decade suffix>

  • nine: From Old English nigon, meaning the numeral "9," derived from Proto-Germanic *newun.
  • ty: A suffix used in English to form decades (e.g., twenty, thirty), originating from Old English -tig, meaning "group of ten."

Etymology Origin:
The word ninety combines nine and the decade-forming suffix -ty, a pattern consistent with other English numerals (e.g., sixty, seventy). The suffix -ty traces back to Old English -tig, reflecting a Germanic counting system based on tens. This structure highlights the logical progression of English numerals, where the root number (nine) is modified by a multiplicative suffix (-ty) to denote decades.

Examples

  1. She celebrated her ninetieth birthday with a grand party.

  2. The temperature reached ninety degrees Fahrenheit today.

  3. Ninety percent of the students passed the exam.

  4. The book is divided into ninety short chapters.

  5. He scored ninety points in the final game.