Six: meaning, definitions and examples

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six

 

[sɪks ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

number

The number equivalent to the sum of three and three.

Synonyms

half a dozen, hexad, sextet.

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Word Description / Examples
six

Commonly used in various contexts to quantify items, people, or anything countable.

  • We need six chairs for the guests.
  • The recipe needs six cups of flour.
half a dozen

Often used in more conversational or informal contexts to refer to the number 6.

  • I bought half a dozen eggs at the store.
  • Grab me half a dozen donuts, please.
sextet

Specifically used to refer to a group of six people, especially in music or arts.

  • The jazz band was actually a sextet.
  • The composer's famed sextet won many awards.
hexad

Rarely used; typically found in more academic or technical contexts, particularly in mathematics or science.

  • The hexad of points forms a unique geometric shape.
  • In ancient numeration systems, a hexad stands for six.

Examples of usage

  • I have six apples in my basket.
  • The dice rolled a six.
Context #2 | Noun

sports

A team of six players in volleyball.

Synonyms

starting six, team of six players, volleyball sextet.

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Word Description / Examples
six

Can also be used in sports, particularly in cricket to describe a type of scoring shot. Also used in contexts where six items or units are described.

  • He hit a six, sending the ball over the boundary line without touching the ground
team of six players

This phrase is used to describe any team that consists of six players, often in contexts where the sport or game allows for variable team sizes.

  • Our team of six players trained hard every day for the upcoming competition
volleyball sextet

Used specifically in the context of volleyball to describe a team of six players. It is a more formal or literary term.

  • The volleyball sextet demonstrated excellent teamwork and coordination during the tournament
starting six

Typically used in sports such as basketball or volleyball to refer to the primary group of six players who begin the game.

  • The starting six played exceptionally well, giving their team an early lead

Examples of usage

  • She plays in the starting six for her volleyball team.
  • The coach rotated the six during the match.
Context #3 | Noun

music

A musical interval of six diatonic degrees.

Synonyms

diatonic sixth, interval of six degrees, perfect six chord.

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Word Description / Examples
six

This word is commonly used in everyday language to refer to the numerical value 6. It can describe quantity, position, or ranking.

  • I have six apples.
  • The event starts at six o'clock.
  • She finished in sixth place.
interval of six degrees

This phrase is utilized in music theory to denote an interval that spans six scale degrees. It can be major, minor, or dissonant.

  • A major sixth is an interval of six degrees and can be heard in the song 'My Bonnie'.
  • The interval of six degrees gives the melody a jumpy feel.
diatonic sixth

This term is used in music theory to refer to a specific interval in the major or minor scale. It often appears in discussions about harmony and scale structure.

  • In the key of C major, E to C is a diatonic sixth.
  • The composer employed a diatonic sixth to add tension.
perfect six chord

This term might refer to a specific chord in music but is unusual and less commonly used. It's better to specify whether it's a major sixth chord, minor sixth chord, or another quality.

  • The piece ends on a major sixth chord, providing a bright resolution.

Examples of usage

  • The harmony was created using a perfect six chord.
  • The melody resolved with a descending six.

Interesting Facts

Numerology

  • In numerology, the number six represents harmony, balance, and responsibility.
  • Many cultures consider six to be a lucky number, often associated with prosperity.

Mathematics

  • Six is the first perfect number, meaning its divisors (1, 2, 3) add up to itself.
  • In geometry, a triangle can be formed with six distinct points in a plane, showcasing various combinations.

Culture

  • The six-petal flower is significant in some cultures, symbolizing beauty and purity.
  • In music, six is the number of beats often used in certain dance rhythms such as waltzes.

Games

  • In dice games, rolling a six is often the best outcome, represented by the highest side of a standard die.
  • Board games frequently use six spaces to represent moves, linking the number to fun and luck.

Science

  • There are six basic types of quarks in particle physics, a fundamental part of matter.
  • The sixth planet from the sun in our solar system is Saturn, known for its stunning rings.

Translations

Translations of the word "six" in other languages:

🇵🇹 seis

🇮🇳 छह

🇩🇪 sechs

🇮🇩 enam

🇺🇦 шість

🇵🇱 sześć

🇯🇵 

🇫🇷 six

🇪🇸 seis

🇹🇷 altı

🇰🇷 

🇸🇦 ستة

🇨🇿 šest

🇸🇰 šesť

🇨🇳 

🇸🇮 šest

🇮🇸 sex

🇰🇿 алты

🇬🇪 ექვსი

🇦🇿 altı

🇲🇽 seis

Word Frequency Rank

With position #386, this word is vital for basic English fluency. It appears very frequently in everyday language and should be among the first words you learn and actively use.