sixth

noun

ˈsiks(t)th How to pronounce sixth (audio)
ˈsiks(t)
plural sixths ˈsiks(ts) How to pronounce sixth (audio)
ˈsiks(t)ths
1
: one that is number six in a series
We'll be arriving on the sixth.
Her office is the sixth on the left.
see Table of Numbers
2
: one of six equal parts of something
one sixth of the total
3
a
: a musical interval embracing six diatonic degrees
b
: a tone at this interval
specifically : submediant
c
: the harmonic combination of two tones a sixth apart
sixth adjective or adverb
the book's sixth chapter
the state's sixth largest city
sixthly
ˈsiksth-lē How to pronounce sixth (audio)
ˈsikst-
adverb
Sixthly, don't let your screaming tenor soar an octave above all the balance of the chorus … Mark Twain

Examples of sixth in a Sentence

Only about a sixth of the town voted for her.
Recent Examples on the Web Jasmine Moore had just moved into first place by jumping 22-9 when Davis-Woodhall unleashed the longest jump in the world this year, soaring to sixth on the all-time indoor performer list on her fifth of six attempts. John Ortega, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2024 Sea Lions players have seemingly shrugged off the inconvenience, the team rising from 24th to sixth in the NCAA Division II national rankings since the season began. Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Feb. 2024 The Curry brothers have each had successful careers, with Stephen leading the Warriors to victory four times in the NBA Finals and Seth ranking sixth in NBA history for three-point field goal percentage. Brendan Le, Peoplemag, 25 Feb. 2024 Jazz reserves, a key to the team’s recent surge, outscored their Denver counterparts 53-38 as Utah won its sixth in a row at home. Matthew Coles, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2024 He’s taken in almost $20 million for next year’s election, ranking Tester sixth among Senate candidates nationwide, according to Federal Election Commission data through September. Matthew Brown, Fortune, 20 Nov. 2023 Asked in the UnidosUS poll to rank their top three issues, California Latinos rated immigration sixth, behind cost of living, lack of affordable housing and crime. Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2024 Houston's defense is stout against the run and finished the regular season sixth in yards allowed per game. Ayrton Ostly, USA TODAY, 20 Jan. 2024 Even if a sixth of applicants, rather than a third, as Frank experienced, are now disqualified from service, that’s an unacceptable figure and would go most of the way toward explaining the recruiting downturn that began in 2022. Luther Ray Abel, National Review, 9 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sixth.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sixth was in the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near sixth

Cite this Entry

“Sixth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sixth. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sixth

noun
ˈsiks(t)th How to pronounce sixth (audio)
ˈsiks(t)
plural sixths
1
: one that is number six in a series see number
2
: the difference in pitch between the first tone and the sixth tone of a scale
sixth adjective or adverb
sixthly
ˈsiksth-lē How to pronounce sixth (audio)
ˈsikst-
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on sixth

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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