eighty-first
B1Neutral to formal
Definition
Meaning
The ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number 81; coming after the eightieth in a series.
Used to denote position, sequence, or rank; can also metaphorically refer to something of minor importance or low priority (e.g., 'that's my eighty-first concern').
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily an ordinal numeral. Can function as a noun ('the eighty-first of the month'), an adjective ('the eighty-first attempt'), or part of a compound noun ('eighty-first birthday'). Hyphenated in attributive position.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Potential minor variation in the pronunciation of the numeral 'eighty' (/ˈeɪ.ti/ vs. /ˈeɪ.t̬i/).
Connotations
Identical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equal frequency in both dialects, tied directly to the need to express the specific ordinal number.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
the eighty-first + N (e.g., the eighty-first day)be + the + eighty-first (e.g., He was the eighty-first to arrive.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in formal reports or lists (e.g., 'the eighty-first item on the agenda').
Academic
Used in historical sequencing, edition numbering, or statistical rankings.
Everyday
Most common in references to birthdays, anniversaries, or positions in queues/sequences.
Technical
Used in precise sequencing, such as in software versioning or engineering specifications.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- She celebrated her eighty-first birthday with a quiet family gathering.
- He made his eighty-first attempt to solve the puzzle.
American English
- They live on the eighty-first floor of the skyscraper.
- This is the eighty-first edition of the annual report.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Today is my grandma's eighty-first birthday.
- Our flat is on the eighty-first floor.
- He finished eighty-first in the marathon, which was still a great achievement.
- The library has just acquired the eighty-first volume of the historical series.
- The committee tabled the eighty-first proposal for review at the next quarterly meeting.
- As the eighty-first signatory to the treaty, the nation added significant weight to the agreement.
- The artist's eighty-first exhibition marked a decisive shift towards minimalist abstraction, confounding many critics.
- Upon his eighty-first interrogation of the data, the researcher finally identified the anomalous variable.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'eighty' followed by 'first' – it's the first number after reaching eighty.
Conceptual Metaphor
SEQUENCE IS POSITION ON A PATH (e.g., 'reaching the eighty-first milestone').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'восемьдесят один' (cardinal). The correct ordinal is 'восемьдесят первый'.
- Remember the hyphen in English when used attributively (eighty-first birthday).
Common Mistakes
- Writing as 'eighty first' (without hyphen) when used as a compound adjective.
- Using the cardinal form ('eighty one') instead of the ordinal.
- Incorrect pronunciation stress: stressing 'first' instead of maintaining primary stress on 'eigh-' and secondary on 'first'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the correct written form when used as an adjective?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is hyphenated when used as a compound adjective before a noun (e.g., eighty-first birthday). It is not hyphenated when used predictively (e.g., She was eighty first in line).
Yes, it can function as a noun, typically preceded by 'the' (e.g., He was the eighty-first to cross the finish line).
'Eighty-one' is a cardinal number (81), used for counting. 'Eighty-first' is an ordinal number (81st), used to show position or order in a sequence.
The primary stress is on the first syllable of 'eighty' (/ˈeɪ.ti/), and a secondary stress is on 'first' (/ˈfɜːst/ or /ˈfɝːst/). The words are run together smoothly: /ˌeɪ.ti ˈfɜːst/.