noun
Common
thirds
thurdz
Thirds (noun) means a third helping of food or drink. Example: “I couldn't resist thirds when Gran served her apple crumble.”
noun
1
A third helping of food or drink.
"I couldn't resist thirds when Gran served her apple crumble."
"Nobody asked for thirds because the portions were so large."
"Everybody helped themselves to seconds and Meren even went for thirds. He had always been partial to good food."
— Sean Clancy, The Fledgling (2012)
"The dinner was so good he went back for thirds."
How to use thirds
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA third portion of food, following seconds — used when someone goes back for more, twice.
Common pairings
go back for thirds
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Synonyms
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third helping
third serving
third portion
Rhymes for thirds
See all rhymes for thirds →Frequently asked questions
What does “thirds” mean?
The word “thirds” means a third helping of food or drink. In plain terms, a third portion of food, following seconds — used when someone goes back for more, twice.
How do you pronounce “thirds”?
“Thirds” is pronounced thurdz (/θɜɹdz/ in IPA).
How do you use “thirds” in a sentence?
Here is “thirds” used in a sentence: “The dinner was so good he went back for thirds.”
What part of speech is “thirds”?
“Thirds” is a noun.
Is “thirds” a common word?
“Thirds” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between "seconds" and "thirds" at a meal?
"Seconds" is a second helping of food or drink, while "thirds" is a third helping taken after that. Both are informal terms for going back for more at the table.
Is "thirds" in the sense of a third helping formal or informal?
In this meaning, "thirds" is informal and conversational, used at family meals or casual gatherings. It would rarely appear in formal writing, where a phrase like "a third serving" is more likely.
Can you have "thirds" of a drink as well as of food?
Yes. "Thirds" refers to a third helping of either food or drink, so you can go back for thirds of soup, punch, or any refillable dish or beverage.
