sixteen

UK: ˌsɪksˈtiːn | US: ˌsɪksˈtiːn

Definition

  1. n. the cardinal number equal to the sum of ten and six (16).

Structure
six <6>teen <10-based suffix>
Etymology

sixteen = six<6> + teen<10-based suffix>

  • six: From Old English siex, Proto-Germanic sehs, meaning "6."
  • teen: From Old English -tīene (variant of -tēn), used to form numbers 13–19, derived from tīen (ten).

Etymology Origin:
The word sixteen follows the Germanic pattern of combining a unit digit (six) with the suffix -teen (indicating "ten more"). This structure is shared across Germanic languages (e.g., German sechzehn, Dutch zestien), reflecting a logical additive system for counting beyond ten.

Examples

  1. She celebrated her sixteenth birthday with a trip abroad.

  2. The recipe requires sixteen ounces of flour.

  3. Sixteen students volunteered for the science project.

  4. He scored sixteen points in the basketball game.

  5. The train departs at sixteen minutes past the hour.