twenty-fourth
B1Neutral
Definition
Meaning
The ordinal number following twenty-third; constituting number 24 in a series.
Often used to refer to a day of the month (the 24th), a fraction (1/24), or a position in a sequence. Can denote a specific anniversary (e.g., a twenty-fourth birthday).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily functions as an ordinal numeral or a noun (e.g., 'a twenty-fourth'). Like other compound ordinals, it is typically hyphenated.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant semantic differences. Spelling and hyphenation are consistent. Potential minor variation in date format pronunciation (e.g., 'the twenty-fourth of May' vs. 'May twenty-fourth').
Connotations
None.
Frequency
Equal frequency in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
the twenty-fourth of [MONTH]her twenty-fourth [NOUN (e.g., birthday)]on the twenty-fourthVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The twenty-fourth of May / the Queen's / Victoria Day (Canadian holiday)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in deadlines, report numbering, fiscal periods (e.g., 'Q1 report, twenty-fourth edition').
Academic
Used in referencing (chapters, amendments, sequences in lists or data).
Everyday
Primarily for dates, birthdays, and positions in queues or competitions.
Technical
In mathematics for fractions, sequences, or ratios (e.g., 'a twenty-fourth part').
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The meeting is on the twenty-fourth day of the month.
- She won the twenty-fourth prize in the raffle.
American English
- His twenty-fourth birthday party is next week.
- We're reviewing the Twenty-fourth Amendment.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My birthday is on the twenty-fourth of July.
- She lives on the twenty-fourth floor.
- We are scheduled to meet on the twenty-fourth.
- This is the twenty-fourth edition of the annual report.
- He finished twenty-fourth in the marathon, a respectable position given the competition.
- The treaty was signed on the twenty-fourth anniversary of the country's independence.
- The manuscript, a twenty-fourth copy from the original press run, held significant bibliographic value.
- Analysing the data from the twenty-fourth fiscal quarter revealed a concerning trend.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a day: 'Twenty-four hours in a day, so the twenty-fourth is the last part of it.'
Conceptual Metaphor
POSITION AS A POINT ON A PATH (e.g., 'We've reached the twenty-fourth mile').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using cardinal number 'двадцать четыре' where ordinal 'двадцать четвертый' is required.
- In dates, remember the structure 'the twenty-fourth of December' corresponds to 'двадцать четвертое декабря'.
Common Mistakes
- Writing as 'twentyfourth' or 'twenty forth'.
- Incorrect stress placement on the first syllable of 'fourth'.
- Using the cardinal 'twenty-four' in ordinal contexts (e.g., 'He came in twenty-four').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the correct written form for the ordinal number 24?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, as a compound ordinal number modifying a noun (e.g., 'the twenty-fourth contestant'), it is standard to hyphenate it.
The '-th' is an unvoiced dental fricative /θ/. Be careful not to substitute it with a /t/ or /s/ sound.
Yes, for example: 'She was the twenty-fourth to arrive' or 'I'll need a twenty-fourth of the total.'
The most common mistake is using the cardinal number 'twenty-four' instead of the ordinal 'twenty-fourth' when describing sequence or position, due to direct translation from Russian structure.