First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
ninety
noun nine·ty \ˈnīn-tē\
: the number 90
nine*ties : the numbers ranging from 90 to 99
: a set of years ending in digits ranging from 90 to 99
plural nineties
Full Definition of NINETY
1
— see number table
2
plural : the numbers 90 to 99; specifically : the years 90 to 99 in a lifetime or century
— nine·ti·eth \-tē-əth\ adjective or noun
— ninety adjective
— ninety pronoun, plural in construction
See ninety defined for English-language learners
See ninety defined for kids
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Origin of NINETY
Middle English ninety, adjective, from Old English nigontig, short for hundnigontig, from hundnigontig, noun, group of 90, from hund-, literally, hundred + nigon nine + -tig group of 10; akin to Old English tīen ten
Other Number-Related Terms
NINETIETH Defined for Kids
1ninety
adjective nine·ty \ˈnīn-tē\
Definition of NINETY for Kids
: being nine times ten
2ninety
noun
Definition of NINETY for Kids
: nine times ten : 90
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