Seventeen Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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seventeen

[หˆsษ›v.ษ™nหˆtiหn ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

age

The age of seventeen is often considered a transitional period from adolescence to adulthood, marked by increased independence and responsibility.

Synonyms

17, seventeen years old, teens.

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Word Description / Examples
seventeen

Used to specifically refer to the number 17 in writing or conversation, often in a formal or neutral context.

  • She scored seventeen points in the game.
  • The house is on Seventeenth Street.
17

Used to refer to the number 17 in informal writing or when brevity is important, such as in text messages, notes, or lists.

  • He waited for 17 minutes.
  • Page 17 of the book has an error.
seventeen years old

Used to specify someone's age, giving a sense of someone's life stage or maturity. Common in both formal and informal settings.

  • She is seventeen years old and already a college student.
  • At seventeen years old, I started my first job.
teens

Used to broadly refer to individuals who are between the ages of 13 and 19. This term emphasizes the general age group rather than a specific age. It can have a casual or general use.

  • Teens often struggle with self-identity.
  • Many teens enjoy spending time on social media.

Examples of usage

  • At seventeen, many teenagers start thinking about their future careers.
  • She celebrated her seventeenth birthday with a big party.
  • Turning seventeen is a milestone for many young people.
  • Being seventeen can be both exciting and challenging.
  • At the age of seventeen, individuals may start making important life decisions.
Context #2 | Noun

number

Seventeen is the natural number following sixteen and preceding eighteen.

Synonyms

17, XVII, seventeenth.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
seventeen

The word 'seventeen' is used when referring to the quantity or number 17 in written form. Itโ€™s often used in more formal or literary settings, such as books, essays, and documentation.

  • She turned seventeen last week
  • We have seventeen apples in the basket
17

The numeral '17' is typically used in informal writing, lists, and when brevity is important, such as in notes, text messages, or digital content. It's also common in statistical data and sports scores.

  • Dinner will be ready in 17 minutes
  • The team scored 17 points
XVII

The Roman numeral 'XVII' is occasionally used in formal or historical contexts, often within academia, book chapters, clock faces, or titles, to give a classical or sophisticated touch.

  • Read Chapter XVII of the book
  • The year is MDCCCXVII
seventeenth

The word 'seventeenth' is used to refer to the ordinal number 17th, indicating position or order in a sequence. Use it when talking about dates, ranks, or positions.

  • Her birthday is on the seventeenth of May
  • He finished in the seventeenth place

Examples of usage

  • She scored seventeen out of twenty on the quiz.
  • There are seventeen students in the classroom.
  • The store is open from seven in the morning until nine at night, seventeen hours in total.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

  • The word 'seventeen' comes from the Old English 'seofoneteo', which translates to 'seven ten'.
  • In various languages, the structure for seventeen often combines the words for seven and ten, showing the mathematical reasoning behind its name.

Mathematics

  • Seventeen is the only prime number between 10 and 20, meaning it can only be divided by itself and one.
  • In binary code, seventeen is represented as '10001', showcasing its unique properties in computing.

Pop Culture

  • Seventeen is associated with coming-of-age themes in films and music, often reflecting on teenage experiences.
  • The popular South Korean boy band named 'SEVENTEEN' has contributed to a global fan culture known as 'CARATs', drawing attention to youth and togetherness.

Psychology

  • Research shows that seventeen is often viewed as a pivotal year for identity formation during adolescence.
  • This number is frequently referenced in discussions about teenage angst and the transition to adulthood.

Literature

  • In literary works, seventeen often symbolizes youthful exuberance, hopes, and the struggles of adolescence.
  • Various authors use the age seventeen to depict pivotal moments in their characters' lives, reflecting on themes of independence and self-discovery.

Origin of 'seventeen'

The word 'seventeen' originated from Middle English 'seventene', which came from Old English 'seofontฤซene'. The Old English word can be broken down into 'seofon' (seven) and 'tฤซene' (ten), making 'seventeen' literally mean 'seven and ten'. The concept of seventeen has been present in various cultures and languages throughout history, often represented as a significant age or number.


Word Frequency Rank

At #5,775 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.