birthday
BURTH-day
Birthday (noun) means the yearly anniversary of the day someone was born. Example: “They threw her a huge party for her thirtieth birthday.”
noun
1
The yearly anniversary of the day someone was born.
"They threw her a huge party for her thirtieth birthday."
"What do you want for your birthday this year?"
"Happy birthday! I hope you have a wonderful day with your family."
2
The anniversary of when something (a company, a country, etc.) was founded.
"The museum celebrated the birthday of the national park."
"The company marked its birthday with cake for every employee."
"The town's birthday is celebrated every year with a street parade."
How to use birthday
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe date each year that marks when you (or something) came into being.
Common pairings
happy birthday
birthday party
birthday present
turn (a number) on your birthday
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Word forms
- Plural
- birthdays
- Third person singular
- birthdays
- Past tense
- birthdayed
Fill the gap
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They threw her a huge party for her thirtieth _____.
Etymology
From Old English gebyrddæg, a compound of "birth" and "day" — literally "day of birth".
Synonyms
View more →
natal day
Rhymes for birthday
See all rhymes for birthday →Frequently asked questions
What does “birthday” mean?
The word “birthday” means the yearly anniversary of the day someone was born. In plain terms, the date each year that marks when you (or something) came into being.
How do you pronounce “birthday”?
“Birthday” is pronounced BURTH-day (/ˈbɝθˌdeɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “birthday” in a sentence?
Here is “birthday” used in a sentence: “They threw her a huge party for her thirtieth birthday.”
What part of speech is “birthday”?
“Birthday” is a noun.
Where does the word “birthday” come from?
The word “birthday” comes from Old English. From Old English gebyrddæg, a compound of "birth" and "day" — literally "day of birth".
Is “birthday” a common word?
“Birthday” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “birthday” have?
“Birthday” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the yearly anniversary of the day someone was born.
What is the difference between a birthday and a birth date?
A birth date is the specific calendar date you were born, such as 3 May 1990, and it never changes. A birthday is the yearly return of that date — the anniversary you celebrate each year. So you have one birth date but mark a birthday every twelve months.
What is the difference between a birthday and an anniversary?
A birthday is a specific type of anniversary — the yearly marking of the day a person was born. An anniversary is the broader term for any yearly commemoration of a past event, such as a wedding, a company's founding, or a historic date. Every birthday is an anniversary, but not the reverse.
How do people celebrate birthdays?
Customs vary, but common traditions include a cake with lit candles that the birthday person blows out while making a wish, singing 'Happy Birthday', giving cards and gifts, and gathering for a party or meal with family and friends. Milestone birthdays, like turning eighteen or fifty, often get bigger celebrations.
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