forty-first: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral, used across all registers when numerical sequences are required.
Quick answer
What does “forty-first” mean?
next after the fortieth.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
next after the fortieth; being one of 41 equal parts; the ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number 41.
The position, rank, or occurrence in a sequence identified by the number 41. Can also refer to a specific day, anniversary, or item in a list.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Hyphenation is consistent.
Connotations
None specific to either variety.
Frequency
Used equally in both varieties when the specific number is required.
Grammar
How to Use “forty-first” in a Sentence
[be + the + forty-first + to + INF][the + forty-first + NOUN][on + his/her/its + forty-first]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “forty-first” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not applicable as a verb.
American English
- Not applicable as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
American English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- He was the forty-first person to finish the marathon.
- The forty-first regiment was deployed.
American English
- She won her forty-first golf tournament.
- The Forty-first Amendment is often discussed.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Referring to fiscal quarters, rankings, or report sections. 'The forty-first quarterly report shows improvement.'
Academic
Referencing pages, chapters, or sequences in research. 'See the forty-first theorem in the appendix.'
Everyday
Referring to birthdays, anniversaries, or positions in a queue. 'It's her forty-first birthday next week.'
Technical
Used in specifications, lists, or indexing. 'Connect the cable to the forty-first pin.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “forty-first”
- Writing as 'fourty-first' (incorrect spelling of 'forty').
- Omitting the hyphen ('forty first').
- Confusing with the cardinal 'forty one'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, compound ordinal numbers from twenty-first to ninety-ninth are hyphenated.
Yes, for example: 'He was the forty-first to arrive.' or 'Let's discuss the forty-first on the list.'
Primary stress is typically on 'first', with secondary stress on 'for' in 'forty' (/ˌfɔːrti ˈfɜːrst/).
The most common spelling mistake is writing the cardinal part as 'fourty' instead of the correct 'forty'.
next after the fortieth.
Forty-first is usually neutral, used across all registers when numerical sequences are required. in register.
Forty-first: in British English it is pronounced /ˌfɔːti ˈfɜːst/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌfɔːrti ˈfɜːrst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Forty-first in line to the throne”
- “The forty-first parallel”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the word 'fort' (a strong place) and then 'tea'. A strong fort serves tea first to its 41 defenders. 'Fort-Tea-First' -> Forty-First.
Conceptual Metaphor
SEQUENCE IS A JOURNEY ALONG A PATH (the forty-first step, milestone, or leg of the journey).
Practice
Quiz
How is the ordinal number for 41 correctly written?