forty-sixth: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
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Quick answer
What does “forty-sixth” mean?
The ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number forty-six.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number forty-six.
Coming immediately after the forty-fifth in a series.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: 'forty-sixth' (standard in both). Usage: Identical. No significant lexical or grammatical variation.
Connotations
Neutral; purely numerical.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties for precise sequential or fractional reference.
Grammar
How to Use “forty-sixth” in a Sentence
the + forty-sixth + nounbe + the + forty-sixthordinal + of + the + nounVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “forty-sixth” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- He celebrated his forty-sixth birthday with a quiet meal.
- The team finished in a disappointing forty-sixth position.
American English
- She's running for the forty-sixth district.
- This is the forty-sixth edition of the manual.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to a fiscal quarter (e.g., Q46 is highly unconventional but theoretically possible in a long-running project).
Academic
Used in historical sequencing (e.g., 'the forty-sixth Congress'), fractional statistics, or pagination.
Everyday
Used for birthdays, anniversaries, or positions in queues.
Technical
Used in precise indexing, such as in long lists, database entries, or version numbering.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “forty-sixth”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “forty-sixth”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “forty-sixth”
- Spelling: 'fourty-sixth' (incorrect).
- Pronunciation: Omitting the second 'θ' sound in 'sixth'.
- Hyphenation: Writing as 'forty sixth' without a hyphen.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The spelling 'forty' evolved from Middle English for phonetic simplification, dropping the 'u' from 'four'.
Yes, when used as a compound ordinal number modifying a noun (e.g., 'the forty-sixth day'), it is hyphenated.
It is pronounced /-sɪksθ/. Practice saying 'six' (/sɪks/) and then add the 'th' (/θ/) sound without a pause.
Yes, it can function as a noun, e.g., 'He was the forty-sixth to arrive' or 'One forty-sixth of the total.'
The ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number forty-six.
Forty-sixth is usually neutral in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'forty' (4 x 10) and 'sixth' (like sixth sense). Together, they're the number 46 in order.
Conceptual Metaphor
A POSITION IN A SEQUENCE IS A LOCATION ON A PATH (e.g., 'He finished in forty-sixth place').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the correct written form for the ordinal number 46?