eighteen

IPA/ˌeɪˈtiːn/
KK[etˈin]IPA/ˌeɪˈtiːn/

eighteen — number

1. the number 18, used to talk about a specific quantity of things, people, or unit

1.numberA1
Definition

the number 18, used to talk about a specific quantity of things, people, or units — for example, the age when a person becomes an adult in many countries, or a set of eighteen items.

Example

There are eighteen desks in our classroom on the first floor.

eighteen + [plural noun] (desks)

In Taiwan, you can vote when you turn eighteen.

turn + eighteen (age)

Common collocations
  • eighteen years old
  • eighteen students
  • eighteen dollars
  • page eighteen
  • number eighteen
  • turn eighteen
  • eighteen people

Grammar Patterns

eighteen + [plural noun]

be + eighteen (years old)

Common Mistakes

There are eighteen student in class.
There are eighteen students in the class.
'eighteen' requires a plural noun after it.
She is eighteen years.
She is eighteen years old.' or 'She is eighteen.
when stating age, include 'years old' or use 'be + eighteen' alone.

eighteen — noun

Word family

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Eighteen comes from Old English 'eahtatēne', which is a combination of 'eahta' (eight) and 'tīen' (ten). It literally means 'eight and ten'. The modern spelling settled in Middle English as 'eightene' before becoming the eighteen we use today.

First known use

12th century

12th century, in the meaning defined above