Meaning & Definition of word "Forty"

to

arrow

    Forty

    /ˈfɔːrti/

    numeral:

    • 1. The cardinal number equal to 4 times 10.
      • Example: She has forty apples in her basket.
    • 2. A numeric value between thirty-nine and forty-one.
      • Example: The temperature reached forty degrees Celsius today.
    • 3. The age of forty years.
      • Example: He celebrated his fortieth birthday last month.

    Etymology

    Middle English 'forti', from Old English 'fēowertig', meaning 'four tens'.

    Common Phrases and Expressions

    the big four-oh:

    Slang for turning forty years old.

    life begins at forty:

    A saying suggesting that life improves after turning forty.

    over the hill:

    Referring to someone who is forty or older, implying they are past the peak of youth.

    Related Words

    thirty-nine:

    The number before forty.

    forty-one:

    The number following forty.

    fourscore:

    An archaic term meaning eighty, referencing a number in multiples of twenty.

    Slang Meanings of forty

    Meaning: The big four-oh

    Example Sentence: She celebrated her big four-oh with a huge party.

    Meaning: Over the hill

    Example Sentence: He joked about being over the hill when he turned forty.