sixty-first: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumNeutral (Used in both formal and informal contexts)
Quick answer
What does “sixty-first” mean?
The ordinal number corresponding to 61.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The ordinal number corresponding to 61; the position in a sequence following the sixtieth.
One of sixty-one equal parts of a whole (1/61). Used to denote rank, position, or a specific iteration in a series.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is consistent. Potential minor variation in spoken emphasis or pronunciation pace.
Connotations
Neutral in both varieties. Connotations depend entirely on context (e.g., a 'sixty-first birthday' may connote a significant milestone).
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties, with frequency tied to the specific context requiring this number.
Grammar
How to Use “sixty-first” in a Sentence
the sixty-first + NOUN (e.g., the sixty-first day)be + the + sixty-first (e.g., He was the sixty-first.)a + sixty-first + of (e.g., a sixty-first of the total)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sixty-first” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- He's preparing for his sixty-first birthday celebration.
- The committee held its sixty-first formal session.
American English
- She won her sixty-first tennis match this season.
- This is the sixty-first edition of the manual.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Referring to a specific quarterly report, fiscal period, or item in a long list (e.g., 'the sixty-first item on the agenda').
Academic
Denoting a specific page, theorem, or entry in a numbered sequence (e.g., 'see the sixty-first postulate').
Everyday
Most commonly used for birthdays and anniversaries (e.g., 'Her sixty-first birthday party').
Technical
Used in precise sequencing, such as in software versions, engineering tolerances, or statistical data points.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sixty-first”
- Writing as two words without a hyphen: 'sixty first'.
- Confusing with the cardinal number: using 'sixty-one' where the ordinal is needed.
- Incorrect suffix: 'sixty-oneth'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in English, compound ordinal numbers from twenty-first to ninety-ninth are written with a hyphen.
Yes, it can function as a noun, e.g., 'She was the sixty-first to arrive.' or 'Divide it into sixty-firsts.'
'Sixty-one' is a cardinal number (quantity), while 'sixty-first' is an ordinal number (position or order in a sequence).
There is a slight pause or syllable break: /ˌsɪk.sti ˈfɜːst/. Practice saying 'six-tee-first' as two clear parts linked by the hyphen.
The ordinal number corresponding to 61.
Sixty-first is usually neutral (used in both formal and informal contexts) in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'sixty' followed by 'first'. The hyphen connects them into a single ordinal unit. Visualize a cake with '61' and 'st' candles.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A JOURNEY / TIME IS SPACE: 'Reaching one's sixty-first year' metaphorically positions that age as a point or milestone on a path.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the correct written form?