Six: meaning, definitions and examples

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six

 

[ sɪks ]

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.

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

Etymology

The word 'six' can be traced back to the Old English word 'siex'. It has roots in Germanic and Indo-European languages. The number six has been significant in various cultures and religions throughout history. In mathematics, six is the first perfect number, as it is the sum of its proper divisors. In numerology, six is associated with harmony, balance, and family. The concept of six is prevalent in many aspects of human life, from the six days of creation in some religions to the six strings of a guitar.

See also: sixteen, sixty.

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.