fourteen

IPA/ˌfɔːˈtiːn/
KK[fˌɔrtˈin]IPA/ˌfɔːrˈtiːn/

fourteen — number

1. the number that comes after thirteen and before fifteen; used when saying how ma

1.numberA1
Definition

the number that comes after thirteen and before fifteen; used when saying how many people or things there are, or how old someone is

Example

Feng invited fourteen classmates to his birthday party at the park.

fourteen + plural noun for counting people

Ayana has been taking ballet lessons for fourteen years since age three.

Common collocations
  • fourteen years
  • fourteen days
  • fourteen people
  • fourteen hours
  • fourteen students
Synonyms
  • 14

    the digit form, used in writing and numerals

  • XIV

    the Roman numeral form, seen on clocks, dates, and formal titles

Grammar Patterns

fourteen + plural noun

Common Mistakes

I have fourteen year.
I have fourteen years of experience.
after fourteen, the noun must be plural (years, not year).
There is fourteen students.
There are fourteen students.
fourteen takes a plural verb.

fourteen — noun

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: number/1

While fourteen is the full English word for the number, the digit 14 is used in writing for brevity (addresses, dates, prices). XIV is the Roman numeral form, appearing on clock faces, film sequels (Super Bowl XIV), and formal documents. Fourteenth is the ordinal form ('the 14th item'), not a synonym for the cardinal number. Choose fourteen when speaking or writing in full sentences; use 14 for speed; reserve XIV for stylistic or traditional contexts.

14XIVfourteenth ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • fourteen-year-old
  • fourteen-year period
  • fourteen-piece set

Phrases

  • fourteen out of
  • group of fourteen
  • set of fourteen

Prepositions

  • at fourteen
  • by fourteen
  • for fourteen

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Fourteen comes from Old English fēowertīene, a combination of fēower (four) and tīene (ten). The same pattern appears in German vierzehn and Dutch veertien, all built from the words for 'four' and 'ten'. The modern spelling settled around the 1500s.