twenty-one

UK: ˈtwɛnti wʌn | US: ˈtwɛnti wʌn

Definition

  1. n. the cardinal number equal to the sum of twenty and one (21)

  2. adj. amounting to twenty-one in number

Structure
twenty <20, from Old English twēntig>one <1, from Old English ān>
Etymology

The word "twenty-one" is a compound of "twenty" and "one," both derived from Old English. "Twenty" originates from "twēntig," meaning "two tens," while "one" comes from "ān," the numeral for 1. This straightforward combination reflects the Germanic tradition of forming numbers by addition, a logical and efficient system still used in modern English.

Examples

  1. She celebrated her twenty-first birthday with a grand party.

  2. The game requires players to roll a die and aim for twenty-one.

  3. There are twenty-one students in the advanced mathematics class.

  4. He scored twenty-one points in the basketball match.

  5. The hotel room is on the twenty-first floor.