tenth

IPA/tˈɛnθ/

KK[tˈɛnθ]IPA/tˈɛnθ/

1.ordinal numberA1

Definition

referring to the item that follows nine others in a specific order or ranking

Example

The marathon runner celebrated crossing the finish line in tenth place after intense training.

ordinal: in tenth place / finishes tenth

Charlotte and her team gathered for their tenth annual conference on new investment strategies.

ordinal + noun (tenth annual conference)

Common collocations

the tenth anniversary
the tenth attempt
ranked tenth overall
the tenth row

Synonyms

10th
The standard numerical symbol form of the written word.

Usage Note

Used as an adjective before nouns or as a date indicator; also functions as an ordinal ranking.

Common Mistakes

Confusing 'tenth' with 'ten' or 'tienth' spelling.

1.nounA2

Definition

a single segment of a whole that has been divided into ten equivalent portions

Example

The business partners agreed that she would receive exactly a tenth of the revenue.

Only a small tenth of the students passed the difficult calculus exam this semester.

fraction: a tenth of [group/noun]

Common collocations

one tenth of the total
a tenth of the salary

Synonyms

one tenth
A more explicit way to denote the specific mathematical fraction.

Usage Note

Often followed by the preposition 'of' when referring to portions.

Common Mistakes

Using 'a tenth part' which is redundant; just 'a tenth' is sufficient.

2.nounA2

Definition

the individual or object assigned to the numerical place of ten in a sequence

Example

Our soccer team ended up as the tenth in the regional league standings this year.

After the final inspection, the auditor selected the tenth as the sample for testing.

position: the tenth in [sequence]

Common collocations

came in a tenth
the tenth in line

Synonyms

number ten
Used in casual speech to identify a position in a list.

Usage Note

Functions as a noun representing the entity at rank ten.

Common Mistakes

Using 'tenth' as a noun without a clear antecedent in the sequence.

3.nounC1

Definition

a specific interval spanning ten degrees of a musical scale

Example

The jazz pianist skillfully played a major tenth to add depth to his performance.

In music theory classes, students learn how a tenth interval functions within complex chords.

interval: tenth interval / tenth chord

Common collocations

a major tenth
a minor tenth

Synonyms

decima
Technical musical term used in specific musicological contexts.

Usage Note

Specialized terminology used primarily in music theory and performance.

Common Mistakes

Confusing the musical interval with the ordinal rank.

Word family

ten
numberA1
tithe
nounC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: ordinal number/1

These words describe sequence. 'Tenth' is precise, identifying an exact numerical point. 'Next' is relative and lacks specific placement. 'Final' indicates the conclusion of a sequence, whereas 'tenth' suggests there could be more to follow.

tenth ↗next ↗final ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

every tenth person
the tenth time

Prepositions

Etymology

Proto-GermanicOld EnglishEnglish

The word comes from Old English 'teogotha', which is a direct descendant of the Proto-Germanic word for ten. It reflects the simple historical act of grouping items into tens to make counting easier.

First known use

13th century

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tenth

tenth — ordinal number

1. referring to the item that follows nine others in a specific order or ranking

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

tenth — noun

1. a single segment of a whole that has been divided into ten equivalent portions

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

2. the individual or object assigned to the numerical place of ten in a sequence

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

3. a specific interval spanning ten degrees of a musical scale

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

Word family

Synonym discussion

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

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