seventeen: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
A1Neutral
Quick answer
What does “seventeen” mean?
The cardinal number equivalent to the sum of ten and seven.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The cardinal number equivalent to the sum of ten and seven.
Denoting a quantity of 17 items or a position in a sequence following sixteen. Can refer to the age of 17, often associated with late adolescence.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core usage. Minor orthographic preferences may appear in related compounds (e.g., 'seventeen-year-old' vs 'seventeen year old' in certain contexts).
Connotations
Identical connotations: the age of driving eligibility in many US states and a significant age before legal adulthood in many cultures.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “seventeen” in a Sentence
NUM + N (seventeen people)be + NUM (She is seventeen.)NUM + of + DET + N (seventeen of the students)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “seventeen” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- She is a seventeen-year-old student.
American English
- He has a seventeen-point lead.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in data, quantities, and numbering (e.g., 'Seventeen units sold').
Academic
Used in statistics, numbering, and historical dating (e.g., 'Chapter seventeen').
Everyday
Most common for stating age, quantity, and sports scores (e.g., 'I'm seventeen', 'seventeen apples').
Technical
Used in precise numbering and coding (e.g., 'Error code seventeen').
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “seventeen”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “seventeen”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “seventeen”
- Spelling: 'seventen', 'seventeen' (correct).
- Agreement: 'Seventeen students is here' (incorrect) vs. 'Seventeen students are here' (correct).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can function as both. As a noun: 'Seventeen is my lucky number.' As a determiner/adjective: 'I have seventeen pounds.'
You write it as 'seventeen'. It is a compound of 'seven' and the suffix '-teen'.
It is plural. Example: 'Seventeen people are waiting' (not 'is waiting').
The ordinal form is 'seventeenth' (17th).
The cardinal number equivalent to the sum of ten and seven.
Seventeen is usually neutral in register.
Seventeen: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsɛvn̩ˈtiːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsɛvənˈtin/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Sweet seventeen”
- “Seventeen and never been kissed”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'seven' and 'teen' together. A 'teen' who is 'seven'? No, it's the number after sixteen.
Conceptual Metaphor
A BRIDGE: Seventeen bridges childhood and adulthood. A THRESHOLD: It represents the threshold of major new responsibilities.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'seventeen' used as a determiner?