thirty-eighth: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
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Quick answer
What does “thirty-eighth” mean?
the ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number thirty-eight.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
the ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number thirty-eight; the position in a series after the thirty-seventh.
Used to denote a fraction (one part out of thirty-eight equal parts).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The primary distinction is in potential pronunciation of the final 'th' cluster.
Connotations
Neutral; no specific connotations.
Frequency
Equally infrequent in both varieties due to its specific numerical nature.
Grammar
How to Use “thirty-eighth” in a Sentence
[the] + thirty-eighth + Noun (e.g., the thirty-eighth president)[be] + the + thirty-eighth + to + Verb (e.g., He was the thirty-eighth to finish.)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “thirty-eighth” in a Sentence
adverb
British English
- He finished thirty-eighth in the London-to-Brighton cycle race.
American English
- She ranked thirty-eighth nationally in the spelling bee.
adjective
British English
- She celebrated her thirty-eighth birthday with a trip to Cornwall.
- The document was filed under the thirty-eighth case reference.
American English
- He finished in thirty-eighth place in the marathon.
- We're studying the Thirty-eighth Amendment.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; may appear in legal document numbering or historical company anniversary references.
Academic
Used in historical sequencing (e.g., 'the thirty-eighth Congress'), fractional mathematics, or statistical rankings.
Everyday
Used for birthdays, anniversaries, positions in queues or races.
Technical
Used in precise sequencing (engineering parts, software versions) or geographical coordinates (e.g., the thirty-eighth parallel).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “thirty-eighth”
- Spelling: 'thirty-eight' (cardinal) instead of 'thirty-eighth' (ordinal).
- Pronunciation: Omitting the second 'th' sound, saying 'thirty-eight'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, compound ordinal numbers from twenty-first to ninety-ninth are typically hyphenated.
Yes, e.g., 'He was the thirty-eighth to arrive.'
One thirty-eighth (1/38).
It is abbreviated as '38th'.
the ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number thirty-eight.
Thirty-eighth is usually neutral in register.
Thirty-eighth: in British English it is pronounced /ˈθɜːti ˈeɪtθ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈθɜːrt̬i ˈeɪtθ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Thirty' (30) plus 'eight' (8) with a 'th' suffix for order = 'thirty-eighth' (38th).
Conceptual Metaphor
POSITION AS A POINT ON A PATH (The thirty-eighth mile marker).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the correct ordinal form for 38?