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num A1 Beginner Uncommon

nineteen

NYN-teen

Nineteen (num) means the number 19, one more than eighteen and one less than twenty. Example: “She turns nineteen next month.”

num
1
The number 19, one more than eighteen and one less than twenty.
"She turns nineteen next month."

How to use nineteen

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe number 19.

Common pairings
talk nineteen to the dozen
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Test yourself on “nineteen” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She turns _____ next month.

Etymology

From Old English niġontīene, built from nine plus the "-teen" ending meaning "ten more."

Origin: Old English

Rhymes for nineteen

See all rhymes for nineteen →

Frequently asked questions

What does “nineteen” mean?

The word “nineteen” means the number 19, one more than eighteen and one less than twenty. In plain terms, the number 19.

How do you pronounce “nineteen”?

“Nineteen” is pronounced NYN-teen (/ˈnaɪnˌtin/ in IPA).

How do you use “nineteen” in a sentence?

Here is “nineteen” used in a sentence: “She turns nineteen next month.”

What part of speech is “nineteen”?

“Nineteen” is a num.

Where does the word “nineteen” come from?

The word “nineteen” comes from Old English. From Old English niġontīene, built from nine plus the "-teen" ending meaning "ten more.".

Is “nineteen” a common word?

“Nineteen” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

Should nineteen be written as a word or as the number 19?

In formal writing, style guides generally recommend spelling out nineteen when it appears as a standalone number, especially at the start of a sentence, while numerals like 19 are more common in technical, statistical, or informal contexts. Either form refers to the same value, one more than eighteen and one less than twenty.

Is nineteen hyphenated in phrases like nineteen-year-old?

Yes, when nineteen is used as part of a compound adjective before a noun, such as nineteen-year-old, it takes hyphens. When used on its own, as in 'she is nineteen years old,' no hyphen is needed.

What is the ordinal form of nineteen?

The ordinal form of nineteen is nineteenth, used to indicate position in a sequence, such as the nineteenth of the month or the nineteenth century.

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