eighty

noun

ˈā-tē How to pronounce eighty (audio)
plural eighties
1
: a number that is equal to eight times 10 see Table of Numbers
2
eighties plural : the numbers 80 to 89
specifically : the years 80 to 89 in a lifetime or century
eightieth
ˈā-tē-əth How to pronounce eighty (audio)
adjective or noun
eighty adjective
eighty pronoun, plural in construction

Examples of eighty in a Sentence

The temperature rose to the high eighties. She is in her mid-eighties.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Trevor-Roper, however, had trouble finishing his books; Ascherson has written books on a range of subjects, including the Polish Solidarity movement of the nineteen-eighties, the Black Sea, and Scottish identity. — Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 3 Sep. 2026 As her folks are in their eighties, Mary is now generally captaining the ship that is the Berry Center. — Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026 Smith-Stewart organized it with curator Caitlin Monachino after more than 100 studio visits across Connecticut, eventually choosing 40 artists ranging in age from their thirties to their eighties. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for eighty

Word History

Etymology

Middle English eighty, adjective, from Old English eahtatig, short for hundeahtatig, noun, group of eighty, from hund-, literally, hundred + eahta eight + -tig group of ten; akin to Old English tīen ten

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of eighty was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing eighty

Rhymes for eighty

See All Rhymes for eighty

Browse Nearby Words

eight-square
eighty
eighty-eight
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Eighty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eighty. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

eighty

noun
ˈāt-ē How to pronounce eighty (audio)
plural eighties
: a number that is equal to eight times 10 see number
eightieth
-ē-əth How to pronounce eighty (audio)
adjective or noun
eighty adjective or pronoun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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