Eighteen - Definition, Meaning, and Examples in English

Definition

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

age

Eighteen is the number that comes after seventeen and before nineteen. It is the legal age for voting and joining the military in many countries. At eighteen, individuals are considered adults and are able to make their own decisions.

Synonyms

18.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
eighteen	This word is often written out in more formal writing, such as literature, academic papers, or legal documents. She turned eighteen before graduating from high school. There are eighteen chapters in this book.
18	This numerical form is commonly used in casual writing, digital communication, and when space is limited, like in charts or tables. He scored 18 points in the game. The meeting is scheduled for 18th of May.

Word

Description / Examples

eighteen

This word is often written out in more formal writing, such as literature, academic papers, or legal documents.

She turned eighteen before graduating from high school.
There are eighteen chapters in this book.

18

This numerical form is commonly used in casual writing, digital communication, and when space is limited, like in charts or tables.

He scored 18 points in the game.
The meeting is scheduled for 18th of May.

Examples of usage

She turned eighteen last week and celebrated with her friends.
At eighteen, he was already living on his own and working full-time.

Interesting Facts

Cultural Significance

In many countries, turning eighteen marks the age of legal adulthood, granting rights such as voting.
Some cultures celebrate the transition into adulthood with special ceremonies, like a Quinceañera in Latin America, which often symbolizes reaching maturity.

Mathematics

Eighteen is the first number that is the sum of two squares: 1² + 3² = 1 + 9 = 10.
It's an abundant number, which means the sum of its proper divisors exceeds the number itself.

Pop Culture

In the music world, the song 'Eighteen' by Alice Cooper became an anthem for youth and rebellion as it reflects the feelings of growing up.
Eighteen is often referenced in movies and literature as a pivotal age of independence and change.

Psychology

Research suggests that turning eighteen is associated with significant psychological changes, as individuals begin to form independent identities.
This age is often linked to the start of higher education, where cognitive and emotional development flourishes.

Origin of 'eighteen'

Main points about word origin

The word originated from the Old English 'eigh team,' which literally means 'eight ten.'
In Latin, the term for eighteen is 'duodeviginti,' which translates directly to 'two from twenty.'

The word 'eighteen' originated from the Old English word 'eahtatene', which is a combination of the words 'eahta' (eight) and 'tene' (ten). The number eighteen has been used to represent the age of adulthood in many cultures throughout history, due to its significance as the age at which individuals are considered mature and responsible.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,604, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.

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Eighteen Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations