VocabDictionary

twenty-one

/ˌtwɛn.tiˈwʌn/beginner Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.adjective

Equivalent to the sum of twenty and one; being one more than twenty.

Example Sentences:
  • She celebrated her twenty-first birthday last weekend.
  • The collection consists of twenty-one unique paintings.
2.noun

The cardinal number that is the sum of twenty and one; 21.

Example Sentences:
  • If you add twelve to nine, you get twenty-one.
  • Twenty-one is traditionally considered the age of legal adulthood in various jurisdictions.
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “twenty-one”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Derived from Old English 'twēntiġ' (twenty) combined with 'ān' (one), reflecting the Germanic base-ten counting system where numbers between twenty and thirty are formed by adding units to the decade.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of it as two tens plus one more: 20 + 1 = 21.

Frequently Asked Questions About “twenty-one

1. What is the meaning of “twenty-one” in English?

In English, twenty-one (adjective) is defined as: “Equivalent to the sum of twenty and one; being one more than twenty.”.

2. How do you use “twenty-one” in a sentence?

She celebrated her twenty-first birthday last weekend.

3. What are English synonyms of “twenty-one”?

Common synonyms include:21,score and one

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “twenty-one”?

Derived from Old English 'twēntiġ' (twenty) combined with 'ān' (one), reflecting the Germanic base-ten counting system where numbers between twenty and thirty are formed by adding units to the decade.