thirty-seventh: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to formal
Quick answer
What does “thirty-seventh” mean?
The ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number 37.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number 37; coming after the thirty-sixth in position.
Used to denote one of 37 equal parts (e.g., a thirty-seventh share). Can also refer to a person or thing in the 37th position in a sequence.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Hyphenation is standard in both varieties for compound numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine when used as adjectives.
Connotations
Neutral numerical descriptor in both varieties.
Frequency
Low frequency, as with most higher ordinal numbers, appearing in specific sequential contexts (e.g., historical reigns, anniversaries, list positions).
Grammar
How to Use “thirty-seventh” in a Sentence
[the] thirty-seventh + [singular noun] (the thirty-seventh president)[be] + the + thirty-seventh + [to-infinitive] (He was the thirty-seventh to arrive.)[a] + thirty-seventh + [of + noun] (a thirty-seventh of the total)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “thirty-seventh” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- She celebrated her thirty-seventh birthday with a trip to Cornwall.
- The thirty-seventh chapter resolves the main plot.
American English
- He's running his thirty-seventh marathon in Chicago.
- The thirty-seventh amendment is rarely discussed.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Referencing fiscal quarters, project milestones, or employee seniority in a large cohort (e.g., 'Our thirty-seventh branch opened in Leeds.').
Academic
Used in historical sequencing, statistical percentiles, or labeling sections in long documents (e.g., 'See the thirty-seventh theorem in the appendix.').
Everyday
Most common for birthdays and anniversaries (e.g., 'Her thirty-seventh birthday party.').
Technical
Used in sequencing data points, versions, or iterations in software or engineering (e.g., 'The thirty-seventh iteration of the model.').
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “thirty-seventh”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “thirty-seventh”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “thirty-seventh”
- Writing as 'thirty seventh' without the hyphen when used as an adjective before a noun.
- Incorrect pronunciation of '-th' sound at the end.
- Using cardinal number instead of ordinal (e.g., 'He finished in thirty-seven place').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, when used as an adjective before a noun (e.g., the thirty-seventh day). When used as a noun (e.g., he was the thirty-seventh), the hyphen is also standard.
The '-th' is an unvoiced dental fricative /θ/. Practice by saying 'seven' and then adding a clear /θ/ sound: 'seven' -> 'seventh'.
Yes, it can mean one of thirty-seven equal parts, e.g., 'He inherited a thirty-seventh of the property.'
The most common mistake is omitting the ordinal suffix '-th' and using the cardinal number 'thirty-seven' instead, or writing the hyphenated form as two separate words.
The ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number 37.
Thirty-seventh is usually neutral to formal in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “the thirty-seventh degree (rare, humorous exaggeration for thorough knowledge, e.g., 'He knows the subject to the thirty-seventh degree.')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Thirty' (30) + 'seven' (7) + 'th' (ordinal suffix) = 37th. Remember it follows the same pattern as 'twenty-seventh' or 'forty-seventh'.
Conceptual Metaphor
POSITION AS A POINT ON A PATH (The thirty-seventh milestone on the journey of life).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the correct written form when used before a noun?