thirty-two

UK: ˈθɜːti tuː | US: ˈθɜːrti tuː

Definition

  1. adj. / n. the number 32, equivalent to three tens and two units.

Structure
thirty <30, from Old English "þrītig">two <2, from Old English "twā">
Etymology

The word "thirty-two" is a compound numeral formed by combining "thirty" (derived from Old English "þrītig," meaning "three tens") and "two" (from Old English "twā," the numeral for 2). This structure follows the Germanic pattern of numeral formation, where tens and units are concatenated (e.g., "twenty-one," "fifty-six"). The logic is straightforward: additive grouping (30 + 2) reflected in the word's spelling and pronunciation.

Examples

  1. She scored thirty-two points in the basketball game.

  2. The recipe requires thirty-two ounces of flour.

  3. There are thirty-two students in my class.

  4. The temperature dropped to thirty-two degrees overnight.

  5. He celebrated his thirty-second birthday last week.