sixteen
Sixteen (num) means the number after fifteen and before seventeen; 16. Example: “She turns sixteen next month.”
How to use sixteen
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe number 16.
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She turns _____ next month.
Etymology
From Old English sixtiene, from "six" plus the suffix "-teen."
Rhymes for sixteen
See all rhymes for sixteen →Frequently asked questions
What does “sixteen” mean?
The word “sixteen” means the number after fifteen and before seventeen; 16. In plain terms, the number 16.
How do you pronounce “sixteen”?
“Sixteen” is pronounced SIHKS-teen (/ˈsɪks.tiːn/ in IPA).
How do you use “sixteen” in a sentence?
Here is “sixteen” used in a sentence: “She turns sixteen next month.”
What part of speech is “sixteen”?
“Sixteen” is a num.
Where does the word “sixteen” come from?
The word “sixteen” comes from Old English. From Old English sixtiene, from "six" plus the suffix "-teen.".
Is “sixteen” a common word?
“Sixteen” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between "sixteen" and "sixteenth"?
"Sixteen" is a cardinal number showing quantity, as in 16 items, while "sixteenth" is the ordinal form showing position or order in a sequence, as in the 16th item. You have sixteen pages but turn to the sixteenth page.
How do you tell "sixteen" and "sixty" apart?
"Sixteen" means 16 and ends in the "-teen" suffix, while "sixty" means 60 and ends in "-ty." In speech, "sixteen" is usually stressed on the second syllable and "sixty" on the first; the "-teen" ending marks the numbers 13 through 19.
Should "sixteen" be written as a word or as the numeral 16?
Style guides generally recommend spelling out "sixteen" in words when it begins a sentence or appears in formal prose, and using the numeral 16 in technical, statistical, or measurement contexts. Being consistent within a single document matters more than the specific choice.
Is "sixteen" ever hyphenated?
On its own, "sixteen" is written as one word with no hyphen. A hyphen is used only when it forms part of a compound modifier, such as "sixteen-year-old" or "sixteen-page report."