num A1 Beginner Common

thirteen

thur-TEEN

Thirteen (num) means the number after twelve and before fourteen; 13. Example: “She turns thirteen next month.”

num

The number after twelve and before fourteen; 13.

"She turns thirteen next month."

How to use thirteen

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe number 13.

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Test yourself on “thirteen” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She turns _____ next month.

Etymology

From Old English þrēotīene, a combination of "three" and "-teen" (ten).

Origin: Old English

Synonyms

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13 baker's dozen

Rhymes for thirteen

een been seen teen keen deen green queen sheen Steen tween Breen

See all rhymes for thirteen →

Frequently asked questions

What does “thirteen” mean?

The word “thirteen” means the number after twelve and before fourteen; 13. In plain terms, the number 13.

How do you pronounce “thirteen”?

“Thirteen” is pronounced thur-TEEN (/ˌθɝtˈtin/ in IPA).

How do you use “thirteen” in a sentence?

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

What part of speech is “thirteen”?

“Thirteen” is a num.

Where does the word “thirteen” come from?

The word “thirteen” comes from Old English. From Old English þrēotīene, a combination of "three" and "-teen" (ten).

Is “thirteen” a common word?

“Thirteen” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

Why is thirteen considered an unlucky number?

In many Western cultures, thirteen has long been regarded as unlucky, which is why some buildings skip a thirteenth floor. The fear of the number thirteen even has its own name: triskaidekaphobia.

What is a group of thirteen called?

A group of thirteen is often called a 'baker's dozen,' meaning one more than a standard dozen of twelve. The phrase is a common way to refer to thirteen items rather than the usual twelve.

What is the difference between 'thirteen' and 'thirty'?

'Thirteen' is 13, while 'thirty' is 30, and the two are easily confused in speech. A helpful clue is the stress: 'thirTEEN' puts weight on the second syllable, whereas 'THIRty' stresses the first.

How do you spell thirteen, 'thirteen' or 'thirdteen'?

The correct spelling is 'thirteen,' with no 'd' in the middle. The mistaken spelling 'thirdteen' happens because people link it to 'third,' but the number is written without that 'd.'