sixty-one: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
HighNeutral
Quick answer
What does “sixty-one” mean?
The natural number following sixty and preceding sixty-two.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The natural number following sixty and preceding sixty-two; the product of 61 and 1.
In idiomatic usage, can refer to being just over sixty years old or a quantity slightly above sixty.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage; pronunciation may vary slightly.
Connotations
None specific to either variety.
Frequency
Equal frequency in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “sixty-one” in a Sentence
NUM + N (sixty-one students)BE + sixty-one (He is sixty-one)V + at + sixty-one (retire at sixty-one)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sixty-one” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- They planted sixty-one new trees in the park.
American English
- The highway has sixty-one exits.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in financial reports, statistics, and age demographics (e.g., 'sixty-one percent market share').
Academic
Used in quantitative data, research results, and historical dates (e.g., 'page sixty-one').
Everyday
Most common for stating age, quantities, prices, and scores (e.g., 'My grandfather is sixty-one').
Technical
Used in mathematics, computing, engineering specifications, and measurements.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sixty-one”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sixty-one”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sixty-one”
- Writing as 'sixty one' (without a hyphen) when used as a compound modifier.
- Pronouncing it as 'sixty-won'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, when used as a compound adjective before a noun (e.g., sixty-one steps). It can be written without a hyphen when used as a noun (e.g., The number is sixty one).
The ordinal form is 'sixty-first' (61st).
The primary difference is in the intonation and the /t/ in 'sixty', which may be flapped or pronounced as a glottal stop in some American accents. The number 'one' is typically pronounced /wʌn/ in both.
No, 'sixty-one' is exclusively a cardinal number, functioning as a noun or adjective. It does not have standard verb or adverb uses.
The natural number following sixty and preceding sixty-two.
Sixty-one is usually neutral in register.
Sixty-one: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsɪksti ˈwʌn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsɪksti ˈwʌn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Turn sixty-one (referring to a birthday)”
- “Sixty-one out of a hundred (a specific ratio or score)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a clock: 60 minutes + 1 extra minute equals sixty-one.
Conceptual Metaphor
Slightly beyond a complete set (sixty).
Practice
Quiz
Which is the correct written form when used before a noun?