Twelve: meaning, definitions and examples

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twelve

[twɛlv ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Numeral}

number

Equivalent to the sum of six and six; one more than eleven; 12.

Synonyms

dozen, duodecad.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
twelve	As this is a repetition of the first word, the context remains the same: Best used in everyday conversations, when referring to the number 12 straightforwardly. There are twelve months in a year. She received twelve roses for her birthday.
dozen	Often used to describe quantities, particularly in commercial or retail settings, or when referring to 12 items collectively. I bought a dozen eggs from the store. A dozen cookies were baked for the party.
duodecad	This term is very old-fashioned and rarely used in modern language. It might appear in historical or academic texts. In ancient times, a duodecad was a common base for counting.

Word

Description / Examples

twelve

As this is a repetition of the first word, the context remains the same: Best used in everyday conversations, when referring to the number 12 straightforwardly.

There are twelve months in a year.
She received twelve roses for her birthday.

dozen

Often used to describe quantities, particularly in commercial or retail settings, or when referring to 12 items collectively.

I bought a dozen eggs from the store.
A dozen cookies were baked for the party.

duodecad

This term is very old-fashioned and rarely used in modern language. It might appear in historical or academic texts.

In ancient times, a duodecad was a common base for counting.

Examples of usage

He was twelve years old when he started playing the piano.
The clock struck twelve midnight.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

time

Twelve o'clock, either noon or midnight.

Synonyms

midday, midnight.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
twelve	This word is used again as a repetition and likely a clerical error. Refer to the first entry for its context and examples.
midday	Use this term to refer specifically to 12:00 PM, the middle point of the day. It's often used in schedules and to denote a break or specific time of day. Let's meet at midday for lunch. The sun is usually the hottest at midday.
midnight	This term refers specifically to 12:00 AM, the very start of a new day. It is often used in contexts involving time, especially for events happening late at night or early morning. The movie ended at midnight. Cinderella had to leave the ball before midnight.

Word

Description / Examples

twelve

This word is used again as a repetition and likely a clerical error. Refer to the first entry for its context and examples.

midday

Use this term to refer specifically to 12:00 PM, the middle point of the day. It's often used in schedules and to denote a break or specific time of day.

Let's meet at midday for lunch.
The sun is usually the hottest at midday.

midnight

This term refers specifically to 12:00 AM, the very start of a new day. It is often used in contexts involving time, especially for events happening late at night or early morning.

The movie ended at midnight.
Cinderella had to leave the ball before midnight.

Examples of usage

Let's meet at twelve for lunch.
The movie starts at twelve.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'twelve' comes from the Old English 'twelf', which means 'two left' from the base number 'ten'.
In many languages, 'twelve' reflects its roots involving 'two' (like 'duo') indicating its position after ten.
The concept of twelve is quite ancient, with evidence of its use appearing in various early civilizations for counting systems.

Cultural Significance

In many cultures, twelve is often viewed as a significant number, such as the twelve months in a year and twelve zodiac signs.
Many religions feature twelve important figures or groups, including the twelve apostles in Christianity.
The traditional calendar consists of twelve hours on a clock face, making it a vital part of timekeeping.

Science

In chemistry, twelve is the atomic number of magnesium, a key element for life.
There are twelve cranial nerves in the human body that are essential for function and sensation.
In biology, many organisms follow a pattern of twelve, especially in their reproductive cycles or structures.

Literature

In Shakespeare's play 'Twelfth Night', the title suggests themes of love and gender identity, highlighting the number's literary connections.
The classic 'Twelve Labors of Hercules' refer to the series of tasks undertaken by the hero Hercules, showcasing twelve's role in mythology.
Twelve is often a number associated with coming-of-age stories, marking a transition from childhood to adolescence in various narratives.

Pop Culture

The popular movie series 'The Oceans' features 'Ocean's Twelve,' emphasizing teamwork and adventure among a group of thieves.
In video games, 'Final Fantasy XII' showcases the number as part of its title, signifying continuity in a beloved series.
The song 'Twelve Days of Christmas' celebrates this number, detailing various gifts received each day, illustrating its festive associations.

Translations

Translations of the word "twelve" in other languages:

🇵🇹 doze

🇮🇳 बारह

🇩🇪 zwölf

🇮🇩 dua belas

🇺🇦 дванадцять

🇵🇱 dwanaście

🇯🇵 十二

🇫🇷 douze

🇪🇸 doce

🇹🇷 on iki

🇰🇷 열둘

🇸🇦 اثنا عشر

🇨🇿 dvanáct

🇸🇰 dvanásť

🇨🇳 十二

🇸🇮 dvanajst

🇮🇸 tólf

🇰🇿 он екі

🇬🇪 თორმეტი

🇦🇿 on iki

🇲🇽 doce

Word Frequency Rank

This word ranks #1,715, placing it within important intermediate vocabulary. Learning it will significantly improve your ability to express yourself in English.

...
1712 producing
1713 strongly
1714 thin
1715 twelve
1716 plane
1717 fundamental
1718 permitted
...