Is 'seventy-second' always hyphenated?

Yes, when used as an ordinal adjective or noun (the seventy-second day). The cardinal 'seventy two' is not hyphenated.

Can 'seventy-second' be used as a fraction?

Yes, it means one of seventy-two equal parts (e.g., a seventy-second of an inch).

Is there a difference between '72nd' and 'seventy-second'?

No difference in meaning. '72nd' is the numerical abbreviation, used more in writing; 'seventy-second' is the word form, used in speech and formal writing.

How do you pronounce the fraction '1/72'?

You say 'one seventy-second' or 'a seventy-second'.

Is “seventy-second” formal?

Seventy-second is usually formal, neutral in register.

seventy-second: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Low

UK/ˌsev.ən.ti ˈsek.ənd/US/ˌsev.ən.t̬i ˈsek.ənd/

Formal, Neutral

My Flashcards

Quick answer

What does “seventy-second” mean?

The ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number seventy-two, indicating position in a sequence.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

The ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number seventy-two, indicating position in a sequence.

Denoting one of seventy-two equal parts of a whole (e.g., seventy-second of an inch).

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant differences in meaning or use. Hyphenation is standard in both varieties for the ordinal form.

Connotations

None beyond the mathematical or sequential.

Frequency

Equally infrequent in both dialects; its use is context-driven (sports results, measurements, fractions).

Grammar

How to Use “seventy-second” in a Sentence

[the] seventy-second [noun][noun] seventy-secondbe/seem seventy-second

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

finished seventy-secondthe seventy-second minuteseventy-second part

medium

in seventy-second placea seventy-second ofthe seventy-second year

weak

seventy-second streetseventy-second annualseventy-second conference

Examples

Examples of “seventy-second” in a Sentence

adjective

British English

He finished in seventy-second position in the London Marathon.

American English

The Seventy-second Precinct is located in Brooklyn.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Rarely used, except in long lists or specific rankings.

Academic

Used in historical sequencing (e.g., the seventy-second congress) or precise fractional measurements.

Everyday

Used in sports results, queue positions, or very specific fractions.

Technical

Used in timing (1/72 sec in high-speed photography) and precise engineering fractions.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “seventy-second”

Neutral

72nd

Weak

near the bottomtowards the rear

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “seventy-second”

first second seventy-first seventy-third

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “seventy-second”

Writing 'seventy second' without a hyphen
Pronouncing it as 'seventy two second'
Using 'th' ending (seventy-twoth) incorrectly.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: Yes, when used as an ordinal adjective or noun (the seventy-second day). The cardinal 'seventy two' is not hyphenated.
: Yes, it means one of seventy-two equal parts (e.g., a seventy-second of an inch).
: No difference in meaning. '72nd' is the numerical abbreviation, used more in writing; 'seventy-second' is the word form, used in speech and formal writing.
: You say 'one seventy-second' or 'a seventy-second'.
: The ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number seventy-two, indicating position in a sequence.
: Seventy-second is usually formal, neutral in register.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“seventy-second thoughts (rare, modelled on 'second thoughts')”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of 'seventy-two' as the number, then add 'nd' as in 'second' place, but it's the 72nd.

Conceptual Metaphor

POSITION AS A POINT ON A LINE (low on a ranked list).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

The vintage camera's fastest shutter speed was one of a second.

Multiple Choice

How do you correctly write the ordinal form of 72?