twenty-sixth
HighNeutral
Definition
Meaning
The ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number 26; coming after the twenty-fifth in a series.
The fraction equal to one divided by twenty-six; indicating position in a sequence or a date.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
This is a compound ordinal numeral, formed from the cardinal number 'twenty-six' plus the suffix '-th'. It functions primarily as an adjective or a noun.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No differences in meaning or grammatical use. The hyphen is standard in both varieties.
Connotations
None.
Frequency
Equally common in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
the + twenty-sixth + nounbe + the + twenty-sixthon + the + twenty-sixth + of + monthVocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in reports and scheduling (e.g., 'The meeting is scheduled for the twenty-sixth.').
Academic
Used in citations, pagination, and sequencing (e.g., 'Refer to the twenty-sixth theorem.').
Everyday
Commonly used for dates, birthdays, and positions in queues or lists.
Technical
Used in precise sequencing, such as in software versioning or technical manuals.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The twenty-sixth day of the month is when the report is due.
- He was the twenty-sixth person to cross the finish line.
American English
- Her twenty-sixth birthday party is next week.
- We're studying the Twenty-sixth Amendment to the Constitution.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My birthday is on the twenty-sixth of May.
- This is page twenty-sixth. (common error: should be 'page twenty-six')
- She celebrated her twenty-sixth birthday with a small gathering.
- The twenty-sixth chapter of the book is the most exciting.
- The team finished a disappointing twenty-sixth in the league standings.
- On the twenty-sixth attempt, he finally succeeded in solving the puzzle.
- The Twenty-sixth Amendment, which lowered the voting age to eighteen, was ratified in 1971.
- His analysis of the twenty-sixth iteration of the algorithm revealed a critical flaw.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Twenty' (20) + 'six' (6) + 'th' (ordinal ending) = the position of 26.
Conceptual Metaphor
POSITION IN A SEQUENCE IS A LOCATION ON A PATH (e.g., 'She finished in twenty-sixth place').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate as 'двадцать шесть' (cardinal). The correct translation is 'двадцать шестой' (masculine), 'двадцать шестая' (feminine), 'двадцать шестое' (neuter), or 'двадцать шестые' (plural).
Common Mistakes
- Writing as 'twenty sixth' without the hyphen (incorrect but common in informal digital writing).
- Pronouncing the final cluster 'ksθ' as just 'kθ' or 'sθ'.
- Using the cardinal form where the ordinal is required (e.g., 'He came in twenty-six').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the correct ordinal form of 26?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in standard English, compound numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine are hyphenated when used as adjectives or nouns, so 'twenty-sixth' is correct.
Yes, for example: 'She was the twenty-sixth to arrive' or 'Let's meet on the twenty-sixth.'
It can be challenging. The British pronunciation is typically /ˈsɪksθ/ (siks-th). In American English, both /ˈsɪksθ/ and a reduced /ˈsɪkθ/ (sik-th) are common.
The standard abbreviation is '26th'. In dates, it can be written as '26th' or just '26' (e.g., 26 July).