twenty
twenty
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "twenty" is /ˈtwɛn.ti/.
/ˈtwɛn/
/ti/
Word Form Variations
Number/Determiner: twenty
Noun: twenty (singular, referring to the number itself or a group of twenty), twenties (plural, referring to multiples of twenty or a decade of years)
Adjective: twenty (used attributively, e.g., "twenty dollars," "twenty questions")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Number/Determiner
Definition 1: Equivalent to the product of two and ten; ten more than ten; 20.
Synonyms: score (archaic, 20), two tens
Antonyms: nineteen, twenty-one (as adjacent numbers)
Noun
Definition 1: The cardinal number 20.
Synonyms: score, two tens
Antonyms: zero, one, infinity
Definition 2: A group or set of twenty items or individuals.
Synonyms: score, group, set, collection, assortment
Antonyms: individual, single, fraction
Definition 3: (Often plural "twenties") The decade of years from '20 to '29 in any century (e.g., the 1920s).
Synonyms: the Roaring Twenties, the Jazz Age (for 1920s)
Antonyms: teens, thirties (as adjacent decades)
Definition 4: (Informal) A banknote or currency note worth twenty units of money.
Synonyms: twenty-dollar bill, twenty-shilling note (e.g., in Kenya)
Antonyms: ten, fifty (as other denominations)
Adjective
Definition 1: Amounting to twenty in number. (Used attributively)
Synonyms: score, numerous, many
Antonyms: few, single, one
Definition 2: Consisting of twenty units or parts. (Used attributively)
Synonyms: score-fold, multi-part
Antonyms: single-part, whole (if undivided)
Examples of Use
Books:
"He bought a sleek, silver sports car for twenty thousand dollars, a reward for closing his biggest deal." (Fictional example from a business novel or contemporary fiction)
"The book delves into the vibrant culture and rapid social changes of the Roaring Twenties in America." (From a non-fiction book on 20th-century history)
"She meticulously counted the twenty paces from the old oak tree to the hidden treasure." (Fictional example from an adventure or treasure hunt novel)
Newspapers:
"The Kenya National Examinations Council projected an inflation rate of twenty percent by the end of the fiscal year." ("Business Daily Africa,")
"More than twenty people were rescued after a building collapsed in downtown Nairobi." ("Daily Nation,")
"The new wildlife conservancy spans twenty thousand acres, offering a haven for endangered species." ("The Standard,")
Online Publications:
"Our ultimate guide to the twenty best places to visit in Kenya for an unforgettable safari." (An article on a travel blog, e.g., Magical Kenya)
"How to save twenty percent of your income: Financial planning tips for young professionals." (An article on a finance website, e.g., Investopedia.com)
"The twenties are a crucial decade for career growth and personal development." (An article on a lifestyle or self-help blog, e.g., The Muse)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas." (Film title, e.g., 1954 Disney film)
Television Series: "For your final challenge, you must answer twenty trivia questions about world history correctly." (Instructions on a game show, e.g., Jeopardy!)
Song Lyrics: "Twenty flight rock, who's got the time? Twenty flight rock, I'm losing my mind." (Eddie Cochran, "Twenty Flight Rock," 1957)
Video Games: "You need twenty gold coins to unlock this new character." (In-game requirement or objective, e.g., Super Mario Odyssey)
Podcasts: "In this episode, we break down the twenty most influential technological innovations of the 20th century." (A podcast on technology history, e.g., Stuff You Should Know)
General Public Discourse:
"Can you lend me twenty shillings for the bus fare?" (A common request in Kenya)
"My grandmother is celebrating her twentyth birthday next month!" (A common way to state age, implying 20th anniversary)
"I've been working here for almost twenty years." (A statement about duration of employment)
"She's in her late twenties." (Describing someone's age range)
"I need to buy twenty copies of this book for the book club." (A common purchase quantity)
"The project should be completed in about twenty minutes." (Estimating time)
10 Quotes Using Twenty
"In twenty years you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do." (Mark Twain)
"The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is now." (Chinese Proverb, widely known)
"Life begins at twenty." (Common saying, widely recognized, especially in the context of turning 20)
"You're only twenty once." (Common sentiment regarding youth, widely expressed)
"Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas." (Jules Verne, novel title, 1870)
"Twenty Flight Rock." (Eddie Cochran, song title, 1957)
"The Roaring Twenties." (Common historical term for the 1920s, widely known)
"It takes twenty years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it." (Warren Buffett)
"Twenty-four hours in a day, eight hours sleep, and then you're done." (Lesser-known, but common advice on time management, implying the rest of the 24 hours)
"He was a man of few words, perhaps twenty all told for the whole evening." (Original quote, descriptive of a quiet person)
Etymology
The word "twenty" has a very old and direct origin in the English language, tracing back to Germanic roots.
It comes from the Old English word twentig.
This Old English word already meant "the number twenty."
It was formed by combining two older Germanic elements:
twa, meaning "two" (our modern "two").
-tig, a suffix that meant "ten" or "group of ten." This suffix is related to our modern "ten" and also found in words like "thirty," "forty," etc.
So, literally, twentig meant "two tens" or "two groups of ten."
The first known use of "twenty" in English, with the meaning of "the cardinal number 20," dates back to before the 9th century (Old English period). Its meaning has remained perfectly consistent for well over a thousand years, reflecting its fundamental nature as a number in our counting system.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Twenty
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "twenty":
Twenty-four/seven (24/7): Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week; constantly; all the time.
Twenty questions: A guessing game where one person thinks of something and others ask twenty yes/no questions to identify it.
Twenty-twenty hindsight: The ability to understand an event or situation perfectly after it has happened.
Twenty-twenty vision: Perfect eyesight.
The Roaring Twenties: The decade of the 1920s in Western society, characterized by economic prosperity and cultural dynamism.
To get to twenty: To reach a specific target or score of twenty. (Original phrase, often in games).
A score of years: Twenty years. (Synonymous, using the older term).
He's in his twenties: Referring to someone's age between 20 and 29.
A penny for your thoughts: A request for someone to share what they are thinking. (Implies a small, almost insignificant value, often less than "twenty" cents).
A thousand words: A common phrase (e.g., "A picture is worth a thousand words"). (Implies a large quantity, often more than "twenty").
To go the whole twenty yards: (Original, playing on "go the whole nine yards") To complete something entirely and thoroughly.
Twenty ways to Sunday: In every possible way or from every angle.
Twenty-piece orchestra: A musical ensemble with twenty members. (Descriptive usage).
A baker's dozen: Thirteen, a slightly more than a regular dozen. (Contrasts with a regular dozen or "twenty").
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of twenty from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
