ninth
HighNeutral (used across all registers)
Definition
Meaning
The ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number nine; position nine in a sequence.
One of nine equal parts of something.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Refers to position or rank in a series. As a fraction, it denotes one part of nine equal parts. Common in dates, fractions, rankings, and music.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Potential minor variations in pronunciation of the 'th' cluster.
Connotations
Neutral in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally frequent and core in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[the/my/her] ninth + [noun]on the + ninth + [of + month][verb] + ninthVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “dressed to the nines”
- “a stitch in time saves nine”
- “on cloud nine”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used for fiscal quarters, reporting periods (e.g., 'ninth consecutive quarter of growth').
Academic
Common in dates, fractions, historical sequences, and rankings.
Everyday
Extremely common for dates, birthdays, anniversaries, positions in queues or competitions.
Technical
Used in music theory (ninth chord), and in precise fractional measurements.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adverb
British English
- She finished ninth in the race.
- He came ninth out of fifty candidates.
American English
- The team placed ninth in the league.
- I was born ninth in my family.
adjective
British English
- She lives on the ninth floor.
- The ninth chapter is the most difficult.
American English
- He's in ninth grade.
- Their ninth anniversary is next week.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My birthday is on the ninth of May.
- She is in the ninth picture.
- He finished ninth in the marathon, which was a great result.
- Approximately one ninth of the students were absent.
- The company's profits fell for the ninth consecutive quarter, alarming investors.
- The resolution passed with a majority of eight-ninths.
- The composer's innovative use of the augmented ninth chord defined the piece's harmonic tension.
- She inherited a ninth of the estate, which was later contested in court.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'nine' and add a lisping 'th' sound: 'nine-th'. Remember it's the number that rhymes with 'fine' followed by a soft 'th'.
Conceptual Metaphor
POSITION AS PLACE (e.g., 'He finished in ninth place'). FRACTION AS PIECE (e.g., 'He owns a ninth of the company').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not omit the ordinal suffix '-th' (e.g., incorrect: 'He came in nine').
- Be careful with pronunciation: the final cluster /nθ/ can be challenging; avoid pronouncing it as /naɪns/.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'nineth'.
- Incorrect pronunciation, omitting the 'th' sound (/naɪn/).
- Confusing with the cardinal number 'nine' in ordinal contexts.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the correct spelling of the ordinal number for 9?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The spelling 'ninth' derives from the Old English 'nigoða'. The modern form dropped the 'e' of 'nine' before adding the ordinal suffix '-th', which is a common pattern (e.g., fifth, twelfth).
Pronounce it as /naɪnθ/. The key is to articulate both the 'n' and the 'th' sounds consecutively. Avoid saying /naɪnt/ or /naɪns/.
Yes. As a noun, it means 'one of nine equal parts' (e.g., 'He owns a ninth of the business') or 'the ninth item in a series' (e.g., 'The ninth of the month').
Yes. 'The ninth' refers to a specific, known ninth position or item in a sequence. 'A ninth' is more general, often used for fractions (one of nine parts) or when referring to any item in the ninth position.