twentieth

UK: ˈtwentiəθ | US: ˈtwentiəθ

Definition

  1. adj. coming next after the nineteenth in position

  2. n. the ordinal number matching the number 20 in a series

Structure
twen <twenty>tieth <ordinal suffix>twen <twenty>tieth <ordinal suffix>
Etymology

The word "twentieth" evolved from Old English "twēntigoða," where "twēntig" (twenty) combined with the ordinal suffix "-oða" (later simplified to "-th"). The modern form reflects a contraction of "twenty" to "twen-" (as seen in "twelve" → "twelfth") and the standardized "-tieth" suffix, aligning with other ordinal numbers (e.g., "thirtieth"). This structure highlights English's Germanic roots in numeral formation.

Examples

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

  2. The twentieth chapter of the book reveals the climax.

  3. This is the twentieth time I’ve reminded you to clean your room.

  4. The event is scheduled for the twentieth of May.

  5. He ranked twentieth in the marathon, a personal best.