ninth

IPA/naɪnθ/
KK[nˈaɪnθ]IPA/naɪnθ/

ninth — ordinal number

1. coming after eight other people or things in a series, written as 9th.

1.ordinal numberA1
Definition

coming after eight other people or things in a series, written as 9th.

Example

Her ninth birthday party was held at the park near her house.

The ninth chapter of the novel has the most exciting plot twist.

ordinal with nouns: chapter, floor, century

Common collocations
  • ninth place
  • ninth time
  • ninth chapter
  • ninth birthday
  • ninth century
Synonyms
  • 9th

    identical meaning; the numeral form is common in informal writing and dates

Grammar Patterns

the ninth + noun

ninth + noun (no article in some fixed phrases)

Common Mistakes

I am nine in the line.
I am ninth in the line.
Use ordinal numbers (first, second, ninth) for position in a list, not cardinal numbers (one, two, nine).

ninth — noun

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: ordinal number/1

The most common confusion for learners is between 'nine' (the cardinal number, meaning the quantity 9) and 'ninth' (the ordinal, meaning position 9). Use 'nine' when counting items ('I have nine apples') and 'ninth' when stating rank ('I am ninth in line'). '9th' is the numeral form of 'ninth' and is interchangeable in most contexts, though 'ninth' is preferred in formal writing. 'Ninthly' is a rare adverb used to introduce the ninth point in a list (e.g. 'Ninthly, we must consider the budget'), but it sounds very formal and is rarely used in everyday speech.

nine ↗9th ↗ninthly

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • in ninth place
  • the ninth of (month)
  • ninth in line

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'ninth' comes from Old English 'nigoþa', which later became 'ninþa' in late Old English. Over time the spelling shifted to 'ninthe' in Middle English and finally to 'ninth' in Modern English. The '-th' suffix is the standard way to form ordinal numbers in English, added to the cardinal 'nine'.