seventy-ninth: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (specific numeric ordinals beyond the first few are used less frequently)Neutral to formal; appropriate in written contexts, technical reports, historical sequencing, and statistical data.
Quick answer
What does “seventy-ninth” mean?
The ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number seventy-nine.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number seventy-nine; coming after the seventy-eighth in position.
Can be used metaphorically to indicate something of lesser importance or late occurrence in a sequence, e.g., "my seventy-ninth priority."
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Hyphenation is standard in both varieties for compound numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine when used as adjectives before a noun.
Connotations
Neutral in both. May carry a slight connotation of being far down a list or late in a sequence.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties, used primarily in formal listings, historical records, or technical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “seventy-ninth” in a Sentence
[the] seventy-ninth + [singular noun] (the seventy-ninth anniversary)[be] + [the] seventy-ninth + [to-infinitive] (He was the seventy-ninth to register.)[a] + seventy-ninth + [noun] (a seventy-ninth attempt)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “seventy-ninth” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- She was the seventy-ninth patient to receive the experimental treatment.
- The museum is celebrating its seventy-ninth anniversary this month.
American English
- He finished in seventy-ninth place in the marathon.
- This is the seventy-ninth edition of the annual report.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in formal reports, e.g., 'the company's seventy-ninth quarterly earnings statement.'
Academic
Used in historical or scientific sequencing, e.g., 'the seventy-ninth element in the periodic series.'
Everyday
Most common in celebrating birthdays or anniversaries, e.g., 'Her seventy-ninth birthday party.'
Technical
Used in precise numbering of iterations, versions, or positions in a long sequence, e.g., 'the seventy-ninth iteration of the algorithm.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “seventy-ninth”
- Writing as two words without a hyphen (seventy ninth).
- Incorrectly adding '-th' to 'seventy' (*seventieth-ninth).
- Using a plural noun after it (the seventy-ninth *days).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, when used as an adjective before a noun (the seventy-ninth day) or as a noun (the seventy-ninth). The hyphen is standard for compound numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine.
Yes, substantively. For example: 'She was the seventy-ninth to arrive.' or 'Let's discuss point seventy-nine.' (Here, the ordinal is implied as a label).
In British English, it's a clear /t/ sound. In American English, it's often a 'flapped T' or 'alveolar tap' that sounds like a soft /d/ (/ˌsev.ən.t̬i/).
In formal writing, it is often spelled out (seventy-ninth). The numeral form (79th) is acceptable in lists, tables, dates, or informal contexts. Style guides typically recommend spelling out numbers up to one hundred in prose.
The ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number seventy-nine.
Seventy-ninth is usually neutral to formal; appropriate in written contexts, technical reports, historical sequencing, and statistical data. in register.
Seventy-ninth: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsev.ən.ti ˈnaɪnθ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsev.ən.t̬i ˈnaɪnθ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'seventy' (70) and 'ninth' (9th) combined. Remember that ordinal numbers from 21st to 99th are hyphenated when written.
Conceptual Metaphor
POSITION IN A SERIES IS A LOCATION ON A PATH (e.g., 'far down the road', 'well along the track').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the correct written form?