forty-one: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
CommonFormal and Informal
Quick answer
What does “forty-one” mean?
The cardinal number equal to forty plus one (41).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The cardinal number equal to forty plus one (41).
The ordinal form, "forty-first", refers to position in a sequence; used informally to indicate a notable age in life, often associated with maturity beyond youth.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in numeral form or pronunciation. Potential minor spelling variations only in compounded adjectives, e.g., 'forty-first place' (both).
Connotations
Identical connotations; both associate the number with specific counts and the age with entering established mid-adulthood.
Frequency
Equal frequency in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “forty-one” in a Sentence
[NUMERAL + NOUN] (forty-one participants)[BE + forty-one] (He is forty-one.)[forty-one + OF + NP] (forty-one of them)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “forty-one” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- She submitted a forty-one-page thesis.
American English
- He made a forty-one-point comeback.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in reports, statistics, and metrics (e.g., 'forty-one percent market share').
Academic
Used in data, historical dates, quantitative research.
Everyday
Used for age, quantities, house/bus numbers, sports scores.
Technical
Used as a label, code, or precise measurement value.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “forty-one”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “forty-one”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “forty-one”
- Misspelling as 'fourty-one' (incorrect). Hyphenating only when used as a compound adjective before a noun (e.g., 'forty-one-page document') or for the numeral 21-99. Using plural verb with 'forty-one' when it refers to a single quantity (e.g., 'Forty-one miles is a long way').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is always 'forty-one'. 'Fourty' is a common but incorrect spelling.
Yes, for the numeral between twenty-one and ninety-nine, a hyphen is standard: forty-one.
When 'forty-one' refers to a single quantity or unit, use a singular verb (e.g., 'Forty-one miles is too far'). When it refers to individual items, use a plural verb (e.g., 'Forty-one students are waiting').
The ordinal form is 'forty-first' (41st).
The cardinal number equal to forty plus one (41).
Forty-one is usually formal and informal in register.
Forty-one: in British English it is pronounced /ˌfɔːti ˈwʌn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌfɔːrti ˈwʌn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Catch forty-one (obsolete/historical: to receive a summary punishment)”
- “Forty-one on a match (military slang, obsolete)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a famous number: 40 (the traditional 'midlife' age) + 1 (the next step). It's 'forty' followed by 'one', just like the sequence.
Conceptual Metaphor
QUANTITY IS A CONTAINER (e.g., 'a group of forty-one'); LIFE IS A JOURNEY (e.g., 'reaching forty-one').
Practice
Quiz
How is the number 41 typically written in words?