seventy-two: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
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Quick answer
What does “seventy-two” mean?
The cardinal number equivalent to the sum of seventy and two (72).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The cardinal number equivalent to the sum of seventy and two (72).
Can refer to the numeral itself, a set or group comprising 72 items, or the age of seventy-two.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or form. Spelling and pronunciation rules for numerals are identical.
Connotations
Neutral. No specific cultural connotations beyond standard numerical reference.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “seventy-two” in a Sentence
seventy-two [PLURAL NOUN]the [NOUN] numbered/seventy-two[VERB] for seventy-two [TIME UNIT]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “seventy-two” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He was numbered seventy-two in the queue.
- They seventy-two'd the experiment? (Non-standard/rare).
American English
- The player was seventy-twoed? (Non-standard/rare).
- The entry seventy-twoed on the list? (Non-standard/rare).
adjective
British English
- A seventy-two-hour vigil was held.
- The seventy-two-page report was thorough.
American English
- The seventy-two dollar question.
- A seventy-two inch television.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in reports, e.g., 'The deal closed at seventy-two dollars per share.'
Academic
Used in statistics, measurements, and historical dating, e.g., 'The sample consisted of seventy-two participants.'
Everyday
Used for age, quantity, time, and scores, e.g., 'My nan is seventy-two.'
Technical
Used in computing (e.g., 72 dpi), mathematics, and engineering specifications.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “seventy-two”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “seventy-two”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “seventy-two”
- Writing 'seventy two' without a hyphen in adjectival position.
- Incorrect pluralisation (e.g., 'seventy-two car' instead of 'seventy-two cars').
- Mispronouncing as 'seventy second' which means 72nd.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, when used as a compound adjective before a noun (e.g., seventy-two hours). It is not hyphenated when used as a simple number (e.g., The number is seventy two).
The ordinal number is 'seventy-second' (72nd).
In American English, the 't' in 'seventy' often becomes a flapped 'd' sound [ɾ], so it sounds like 'sev-ən-di' /ˈsɛv.ən.ɾi/.
Yes, it can function as a noun, e.g., 'Seventy-two is a good score,' or 'They arrived in a group of seventy-two.'
The cardinal number equivalent to the sum of seventy and two (72).
Seventy-two is usually neutral in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “seventy-two virgins (specific religious context)”
- “gone in seventy-two hours (colloquial for 'very quickly')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a standard chess set: 32 pieces + 40 squares on the board? Not quite, but 72 is close! Actually, it's like '70' plus your 'two' hands.
Conceptual Metaphor
QUANTITY IS SIZE (a large number), TIME IS A LINEAR PATH (seventy-two hours ahead), AGE IS A JOURNEY (seventy-two years old).
Practice
Quiz
Which is the correct written form when used as an adjective?