thirty-fourth: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Technical, Neutral
Quick answer
What does “thirty-fourth” mean?
The ordinal number corresponding to 34, indicating position or sequence.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The ordinal number corresponding to 34, indicating position or sequence.
Can denote one of thirty-four equal parts; used in formal enumerations, dates, titles, and mathematical fractions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference. Potential minor variations in date formatting (e.g., 'the thirty-fourth of May' is more common in BrE than AmE, where 'May thirty-fourth' is slightly more frequent in speech).
Connotations
Identical connotations of sequence, position, or division.
Frequency
Slightly more common in written contexts (legal, historical, technical) than everyday spoken language in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “thirty-fourth” in a Sentence
the + thirty-fourth + of + [Month] (date)the + thirty-fourth + [singular countable noun]a + thirty-fourth + [of something] (fraction)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “thirty-fourth” in a Sentence
adverb
British English
- He arrived thirty-fourth in the registration queue.
American English
- She finished thirty-fourth overall in the competition.
adjective
British English
- He finished in thirty-fourth place in the marathon.
- We're studying the thirty-fourth chapter.
American English
- She works on the thirty-fourth floor.
- It was his thirty-fourth birthday.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to a specific item in a long list, e.g., 'the thirty-fourth item on the agenda'.
Academic
Used in historical periods, enumerating points, or fractional calculations, e.g., 'the Thirty-fourth Dynasty' (hypothetical), 'one thirty-fourth of the sample'.
Everyday
Most commonly for birthdays, anniversaries, or addresses, e.g., 'Her thirty-fourth birthday party'.
Technical
Used in mathematics (fractions), software versioning, or precise sequential ordering.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “thirty-fourth”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “thirty-fourth”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “thirty-fourth”
- Omitting the hyphen (writing 'thirty fourth')
- Incorrect fraction interpretation (thinking it means 34/1 instead of 1/34).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, compound numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine are hyphenated when used as adjectives or nouns (e.g., thirty-fourth).
Yes, when preceded by 'one', 'a', or another numerator (e.g., 'one thirty-fourth' means 1/34).
'Thirty-four' is a cardinal number (34). 'Thirty-fourth' is an ordinal number (34th), indicating position or order.
In American English, 'May thirty-fourth' is grammatically formed but logically impossible as May has 31 days. For real dates, 'May thirty-first' is correct. The structure is used for teaching ordinals.
The ordinal number corresponding to 34, indicating position or sequence.
Thirty-fourth is usually formal, technical, neutral in register.
Thirty-fourth: in British English it is pronounced /ˌθɜːti ˈfɔːθ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌθɜːrti ˈfɔːrθ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “thirty-fourth time's the charm (humorous, rare variant of 'third time's the charm')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Break it into two familiar parts: 'thirty' (30) + 'fourth' (4th). Remember the hyphen connects them into a single ordinal concept (34th).
Conceptual Metaphor
SEQUENCE IS POSITION ON A PATH (being at the thirty-fourth milestone).
Practice
Quiz
How is the fraction 1/34 correctly expressed in words?