fourteenth: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral
Quick answer
What does “fourteenth” mean?
the ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number fourteen.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
the ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number fourteen; the item in position number 14 in a sequence.
One of fourteen equal parts of something (as a noun). Also used in historical contexts (e.g., Fourteenth Amendment to the US Constitution).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Date formatting may differ (e.g., 'the fourteenth of July' more common in UK; 'July fourteenth' more common in US).
Connotations
None specific. Historical connotations vary by country (e.g., US: 14th Amendment; UK: possibly linked to monarchs like Henry XIV).
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “fourteenth” in a Sentence
[ordinal adjective] + nounthe + fourteenth + of + [month]be + the + fourteenthVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “fourteenth” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- She celebrated her fourteenth birthday with a party.
American English
- He lives on the fourteenth floor of the apartment building.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in reports, e.g., 'Our fourteenth quarterly review shows growth.'
Academic
Common in historical sequencing, e.g., 'During the fourteenth century...'
Everyday
Used for dates, birthdays, positions in queues or lists.
Technical
Used in legal contexts (amendments), sports (ranking), and mathematics (fractions).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “fourteenth”
- Spelling: 'fourteenht' or 'fourteent'. Pronunciation: omitting the 'n' sound, saying /fɔːrˈtiːθ/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be both. It is primarily an ordinal adjective (e.g., the fourteenth day). It can be a noun meaning 'one of fourteen equal parts' (e.g., a fourteenth) or referring to the person/item in that position (e.g., he was the fourteenth to arrive).
It is an unvoiced dental fricative /θ/, as in 'thin' or 'math'. The common mistake is to pronounce it as a /t/ sound.
In formal prose, it is often written out as 'fourteenth'. The numeral form '14th' is acceptable in dates, lists, charts, or less formal contexts.
Yes. Common errors include omitting the 'n' (fourteeth), reversing the 'n' and 't' (fourteent), or incorrectly adding letters (fourteenthh). Remember it is 'fourteen' + 'th'.
the ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number fourteen.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “the fourteenth hole (golf)”
- “fourteenth colony (historical US reference)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'fourteen' and add the 'th' sound you make when you're thinking hard: 'four-TEENTH'.
Conceptual Metaphor
SEQUENCE IS POSITION ON A PATH (the fourteenth step along the path).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'fourteenth' correctly as a fraction?