eleventh
B1Neutral (used in all registers from formal to informal)
Definition
Meaning
The ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number 11; next after tenth.
Positioned at number 11 in a series; relating to a specific point in time or order. Also refers to the fraction 1/11. Figuratively, a last-minute action or event, from the idiom 'at the eleventh hour'.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily functions as an ordinal numeral and, in sports contexts (e.g., football), can be used as a noun referring to a team of eleven players (the eleventh). The ordinal form can also function as a noun meaning one of eleven equal parts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant grammatical or meaning differences. Pronunciation differences are minor (see IPA).
Connotations
Identical connotations; 'the eleventh hour' is equally common in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
the + eleventh + nounbe + the + eleventhon + the + eleventhat + the + eleventh + hourVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “at the eleventh hour (at the last possible moment)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to deadlines, e.g., 'The deal was saved at the eleventh hour.'
Academic
Used in historical dating, fractions, and sequences, e.g., 'The eleventh chapter discusses methodology.'
Everyday
Common for dates, birthdays, positions in queues or races.
Technical
In music theory, can refer to an interval (eleventh) or chord (e.g., eleventh chord).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- (None. 'Eleventh' is not a standard verb.)
American English
- (None. 'Eleventh' is not a standard verb.)
adverb
British English
- (Rare. Can be found in fractions, e.g., 'He was eleventh fastest.')
American English
- (Rare. Can be found in fractions, e.g., 'She ranked eleventh overall.')
adjective
British English
- He finished in eleventh position.
- We're celebrating our eleventh anniversary.
American English
- She lives on the eleventh floor.
- The eleventh inning was the most exciting.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My birthday is on the eleventh of May.
- She has eleven cats. The eleventh cat is black.
- He came eleventh in the marathon, which was a great result.
- The meeting is scheduled for the eleventh.
- The peace agreement was signed at the eleventh hour, averting a crisis.
- Approximately one eleventh of the population participated in the survey.
- The composer's use of an augmented eleventh in the chord created a dissonant yet compelling tension.
- Their eleventh-hour negotiations hinged on a single, contentious clause.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a football team. It has ELEVEN players. The player who joins last is the ELEVENTH member.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME AS A PATH OR JOURNEY (The 'eleventh hour' is a point very near the end of the journey/deadline).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse 'eleventh' (одиннадцатый) with 'eleven' (одиннадцать). The '-th' suffix is crucial.
- The idiom 'at the eleventh hour' translates idiomatically as 'в последний момент', not literally.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'elevent' or 'elevanth'.
- Incorrect pronunciation: /ɪˈlɛvən/ (missing the /θ/).
- Using 'eleven' when 'eleventh' is needed, e.g., 'He came in eleven place' (incorrect) vs. 'eleventh place' (correct).
Practice
Quiz
What does the idiom 'at the eleventh hour' mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is primarily an ordinal adjective (the eleventh day). It can also function as a noun meaning one of eleven equal parts (e.g., 'an eleventh of the cake') or, in sports, a team (e.g., 'the first eleventh').
The '-th' is pronounced as the unvoiced dental fricative /θ/. The common mistake is to drop this sound and say /ɪˈlɛvən/.
It originates from the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard in the Bible (Matthew 20:1-16), where workers hired at the eleventh hour (approximately 5 pm) received the same wage as those hired early in the day.
No, 'eleventh' is not a standard verb. It is exclusively a numeral (ordinal adjective/noun).