thirteen: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
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Quick answer
What does “thirteen” mean?
The cardinal number that is the sum of twelve and one.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The cardinal number that is the sum of twelve and one; 13.
Denoting a quantity or group of thirteen; often associated with bad luck in Western superstition.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major lexical differences. Minor pronunciation variations. The number is spelled identically.
Connotations
Associated with superstition (triskaidekaphobia) equally in both cultures.
Frequency
Used with identical frequency in all numeric contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “thirteen” in a Sentence
Number + Noun (thirteen books)Be + thirteen (She is thirteen)At + thirteen (at thirteen years old)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “thirteen” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- She has thirteen coloured pencils.
- It's a thirteen-hour flight to Singapore.
American English
- We bought thirteen concert tickets.
- He wrote a thirteen-page report.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in financial reports, ages, quantities (e.g., 'thirteen new stores opened').
Academic
Used in statistics, historical dates, numbered sections (e.g., 'see Figure thirteen').
Everyday
Most common: stating age, counting, house/flat numbers.
Technical
Used precisely in mathematics, computing, and sequencing.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “thirteen”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “thirteen”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “thirteen”
- Misspelling as 'thriteen' or 'thriteen'.
- Incorrect stress placement, stressing the first syllable ('THIR-teen') instead of the second ('thir-TEEN').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The superstition likely stems from Christian tradition (13 people at the Last Supper) and Norse mythology.
Stress the second syllable: thir-TEEN. The 'th' is unvoiced as in 'think'.
It can function as both a noun ('Thirteen is my lucky number') and an adjective ('thirteen cats').
'Thirteen' is 13, stress on 'teen'. 'Thirty' is 30, stress on the first syllable 'THIR-ty', and the 't' is often a flap in American English.
The cardinal number that is the sum of twelve and one.
Thirteen is usually neutral in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Baker's dozen (13 items instead of 12)”
- “Friday the thirteenth (an unlucky day)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'THIR' (like thirty) chopped short to 'THIRteen'. It's three and ten combined.
Conceptual Metaphor
THIRTEEN IS UNLUCKINESS (e.g., 'thirteen is an unlucky number').
Practice
Quiz
Which of these is a common superstition associated with 'thirteen'?