sekondi: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
A1Neutral (used across formal, informal, academic, and technical contexts)
Quick answer
What does “sekondi” mean?
The ordinal number following first.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The ordinal number following first; a unit of time equal to 1/60 of a minute; to formally support or endorse a proposal or nomination.
An item of lesser quality or importance; a brief moment in time; to temporarily transfer an employee to another role or department.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. The verb 'to second' (supporting a motion) is equally common in both formal BrE and AmE contexts. In sports timing, BrE may use 'sec' as an abbreviation more readily than AmE.
Connotations
In both varieties, 'second' can imply inferiority ('second-hand', 'second-best'). The phrase 'just a second' is a universal polite interruption.
Frequency
As a noun (time, position) and adjective, frequency is identical. The verb form has moderate frequency in specific formal registers.
Grammar
How to Use “sekondi” in a Sentence
to second a motion/proposal/amendmentto be seconded to (a department)to come/finish in secondto have second thoughts aboutVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sekondi” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The councillor will second the amendment to the bylaws.
- She was seconded to the Berlin office for six months.
American English
- Do I have a motion to second the proposal?
- He was seconded from marketing to assist with the product launch.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
To second an employee to another branch; the second quarter results.
Academic
The second hypothesis; data measured in seconds.
Everyday
I'll be there in a second; This is my second coffee.
Technical
A unit of angular measure; a second derivative in calculus.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sekondi”
- Incorrect plural for time: '20 second' instead of '20 seconds'. Using 'second' as a verb incorrectly ('I second to the idea' instead of 'I second the idea'). Confusing 'second' with 'the other' when comparing two items.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in contexts like a duel ('seconds' are the assistants), or in sports/racing ('the runner finished a close second'). It can also informally mean a brief support or backing ('Can I get a second with this?' ).
'A second' typically refers to an unspecified, short period of time ('wait a second'). 'The second' specifies a particular position in a sequence ('the second chapter', 'the second of July').
Its verb use is mostly formal (meetings, proposals). In informal talk, synonyms like 'support', 'back', or 'agree with' are more common.
In some dialects, the verb is pronounced /sɪˈkɒnd/ (si-KOND) with stress on the second syllable, but in modern standard English, both the noun/adjective and verb are overwhelmingly pronounced the same: /ˈsɛk.ənd/.
The ordinal number following first.
Sekondi is usually neutral (used across formal, informal, academic, and technical contexts) in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “second to none”
- “on second thought”
- “in the second place”
- “play second fiddle”
- “give it a second”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
A 'second' is a brief moment, like the time it takes to say 'one-Mississippi'.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A RESOURCE ('I don't have a second to spare'); IMPORTANCE IS RANK ('a second priority').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'second' used as a verb?