forty-eight: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
mediumneutral
Quick answer
What does “forty-eight” mean?
the number 48.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
the number 48; one more than forty-seven.
Can refer to the year (especially 1948 or 1848). Often used to describe age, measurement, or quantity precisely.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Hyphenation rules are identical.
Connotations
None specific to either variety.
Frequency
Equally common in both.
Grammar
How to Use “forty-eight” in a Sentence
NUM + of + NP (forty-eight of the participants)be + NUM (He was forty-eight.)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “forty-eight” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- A forty-eight-hour vigil was held.
- He faced a forty-eight-point deduction.
American English
- She completed the forty-eight-state tour.
- We have a forty-eight hour cancellation policy.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in specifications, deadlines (e.g., 'a forty-eight-hour delivery window').
Academic
Used for citing pages, reporting sample sizes or measurements.
Everyday
Most common for stating age, time duration, or quantity.
Technical
Used in precise measurements, coding, or numbering systems.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “forty-eight”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “forty-eight”
- Writing as 'fourty-eight' (incorrect spelling of forty), omitting the hyphen before a noun.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Use a hyphen when it functions as a compound adjective before a noun ('a forty-eight-seat bus'). It's often written without a hyphen when used as a noun ('the number forty-eight').
The most common error is spelling 'forty' as 'fourty'. Remember: 'four' becomes 'forty'.
It's the number of contiguous states in the continental US (excluding Alaska and Hawaii), so 'forty-eight states' is a notable collocation in American context.
No, 'forty-eight' is exclusively a numeral/adjective. It does not function as a verb.
the number 48.
Forty-eight is usually neutral in register.
Forty-eight: in British English it is pronounced /ˌfɔːti ˈeɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌfɔːrti ˈeɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “forty-eight hours”
- “around the clock (often implying 48 continuous hours)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'forty' (40) plus 'eight' (8).
Conceptual Metaphor
QUANTITY IS A MEASURABLE ENTITY; TIME IS A RESOURCE (e.g., 'I need forty-eight hours in a day').
Practice
Quiz
How is 'forty-eight' typically written when used as an adjective before a noun like 'period'?