second

Common in British and Commonwealth business English. The American equivalent is usually 'loan' or 'temporarily assign.' Frequently used in the passive voice. The period of secondment is always temporary.

Often interchangeable with 'moment' in phrases like 'wait a second/moment'. In informal speech, 'second' feels slightly shorter and more urgent than 'moment'.

The word 'that' can sometimes be dropped after 'the second' in informal English (e.g. 'the second I saw him' = 'the second that I saw him'). This sense functions as a conjunction, not a noun.

When used with an infinitive ('the second to arrive'), the reference is to a person. When used with 'of' ('the second of the month'), the reference is to a date or position in a sequence.

Almost always used in the plural form ('seconds') even when referring to a single additional serving. 'Second helping' is the singular form and is slightly more formal.

Used mainly in technical fields such as astronomy, navigation, surveying, and map-making. The symbol for a second of angle is the double prime (″).

Often used in the plural form 'seconds' even when referring to a category of goods. The singular 'a second' refers to one specific item. 'Factory seconds' is a fixed expression for goods sold directly by the manufacturer.

In modern boxing, the term is used mainly in professional contexts. Each boxer may have multiple seconds in their corner. The role historically was also important in formal duels, where the second would ensure fair conduct.

In manual transmission cars, second gear is typically used between roughly 10 and 30 kilometres per hour (6 to 18 miles per hour). In automatic cars, the transmission selects second gear automatically. The word 'gear' is often dropped in casual speech: 'shift into second'.

British universities classify undergraduate degrees as First Class (highest), Upper Second Class (2:1, pronounced 'two-one'), Lower Second Class (2:2, 'two-two'), and Third Class. The term 'a second' usually means an Upper Second unless specified otherwise.

In baseball, 'second' can mean either the physical base pad itself or the defensive fielding position. The position is also called 'second base' or 'second baseman'. The word is often used without an article in baseball shorthand: 'playing second', 'running to second'.

In orchestras and choirs, 'second' parts provide harmonic support beneath the first (principal) part. A 'second violin' plays a lower-pitched harmony, not a less important role. This sense is distinct from the musical interval sense (noun/13), which measures the distance between two notes.

Seconds come in two common types: a major second (two semitones apart, like C to D) and a minor second (one semitone apart, like E to F).

Frequently paired with superlative adjectives in a 'second + superlative + noun' structure (e.g. 'second biggest', 'second oldest').

Often carries a negative judgment about quality. 'Second rate' and 'second class' are fixed expressions. 'Second to' patterns with a noun phrase denoting the superior item.

Common in job titles and military ranks. The specific rank 'second lieutenant' is a fixed rank, not a description of seniority within a unit.

The phrase 'every second' + time unit means 'every other' (e.g. 'every second day' = every other day). 'Second option' means a backup plan, not a worse plan.

Used metaphorically with famous names ('a second Einstein') to suggest comparable talent. Also used literally for a duplicate or replacement of something ('a second home', 'a second chance').

Nearly always paired with 'gear' in modern English — 'second gear' is the standard term. 'Second speed' is older or technical. The gear provides more torque than higher gears, making it useful for low-speed driving.

In musical contexts, 'second' distinguishes the subordinate part from the 'first' (lead) part. A 'second violinist' plays the lower part, not a different instrument. This contrasts with sense 4 (SECOND IN COMMAND), which is about organisational rank rather than musical function.

Typically paired with First or Firstly earlier in the same text or speech. In formal writing, Secondly is more common; in everyday speech, Second alone is natural and widely used.

Often combines with a superlative adjective ('second largest', 'second best') to show that only the top-ranked item is ahead. 'Second only to' is a fixed expression for exclusivity of rank.

Unlike senses 1 and 2, this meaning uses the indefinite article 'a' or 'an' ('a second chance') rather than 'the'. It emphasises addition rather than position in a sequence.

Unlike sense 1, this sense is used without 'the' directly after the verb: 'finish second', 'come second'. The phrase 'in second place' uses a preposition.

Always follows the pattern 'the second + superlative' — e.g. 'the second tallest', 'the second most popular'. It means 'only one thing is more X than this.'

In this sense, 'second' is interchangeable with 'another'. Common fixed phrases include 'second chance', 'second home', and 'second opinion'.

This sense only appears in the fixed pattern 'every second + time noun'. Unlike senses 1-4, it does not refer to counting but to frequency. It is interchangeable with 'every other'.

Commonly used with instrument names ('second violin', 'second trumpet') and voice types ('second tenor', 'second soprano'). The second part is typically lower in pitch and harmonically supports the first part.