twelve
Twelve (num) means the number after eleven and before thirteen; 12. Example: “There are twelve months in a year.”
How to use twelve
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe number 12.
Word forms
twelves plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
There are _____ months in a year.
Etymology
From Old English twelf, an old Germanic compound meaning roughly "two left over" after counting to ten.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for twelve
See all rhymes for twelve →Frequently asked questions
What does “twelve” mean?
The word “twelve” means the number after eleven and before thirteen; 12. In plain terms, the number 12.
How do you pronounce “twelve”?
“Twelve” is pronounced twehlv (/twɛlv/ in IPA).
How do you use “twelve” in a sentence?
Here is “twelve” used in a sentence: “There are twelve months in a year.”
What part of speech is “twelve”?
Depending on how it is used, “twelve” can be a num and a noun.
Where does the word “twelve” come from?
The word “twelve” comes from Old English. From Old English twelf, an old Germanic compound meaning roughly "two left over" after counting to ten.
Is “twelve” a common word?
“Twelve” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “twelve” have?
“Twelve” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the number after eleven and before thirteen; 12.
What is the difference between "twelve" and "a dozen"?
Both refer to the quantity 12, but "twelve" is the number word, while "a dozen" is a noun meaning a group or set of twelve, especially of items sold together. "A dozen eggs" is the same amount as "twelve eggs."
When should you write "twelve" versus "12"?
Style guides generally recommend spelling out "twelve" in running text, and especially at the start of a sentence, while using the numeral "12" in technical, statistical, or tabular contexts. Newspaper style often uses numerals for numbers above nine, so "12" is common in journalism.
Why is a jury sometimes referred to by "twelve"?
A traditional jury has twelve members, so "twelve" can stand in for the jury itself, as in the old phrase "twelve good men and true." This usage reflects the customary size of a trial jury.
What is the ordinal form of "twelve"?
The ordinal form of "twelve" is "twelfth," used for position in a series, as in "the twelfth of the month" or "her twelfth birthday." Note the spelling change from "-ve" to "-f" before "-th."
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