fourteen - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
fourteen Word Meanings
- The number after thirteen.
- A group of fourteen items or people.
- A figure or numeral representing the quantity 14.
fourteen Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
fourteen Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/fɔːˈtiːn/
US
/fɔrˈtin/
fourteen Word Etymology
Root decomposition: four + teen (the suffix for a number in the teens). Historical origin: Old English 'feowertyne' from Proto-Germanic 'fedwōr' + 'tehun'. Memory image: Picture a group of fourteen friends celebrating together, all having fun and laughing, representing the vibrancy of the number 14.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I set my coffee cup down and move a neat row of cards across the table, one by one. I count aloud as I push each card into place, stopping when fourteen lines up in a tidy row. I feel my fingers slow, I adjust my grip, and the pace shifts as the number grows closer. When the last card settles, the air feels brighter and fourteen is there, not just a digit but a small moment I held in my hands.
Real Context
Fourteen is the two digit number that comes after thirteen and before fifteen. It is written with digits 1 and 4 and spoken as four-teen. In everyday English, you can use fourteen to describe a count, ages, dates, or items in a group: fourteen days, fourteen apples, fourteen people, or the date the 14th of a month. The word is historically formed from four + teen, part of the familiar teens family (thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, etc.). A vivid memory image is fourteen friends celebrating together, which helps learners feel the number’s energy and practicality in real life counting tasks.
Usage Reminders
- Remember14 is even; use fourteen for counting groups; pronounce four-teen clearly; write 14 or fourteen; use it for ages, days, and dates; practice with related numbers like thirteen and fifteen.
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking fourteen is a prime number (it's not).
- Mistaking 'teen' as meaning 14 is part of a special group different from other numbers.
- Thinking 14 is pronounced as 'for-teen' rather than 'four-teen'.
- Confusing the digits 1 and 4 with meaning 'one four' rather than the two-digit number 14.
- Using fourteenth instead of fourteenth when describing order.
Thinking Differences
Learners of English often process numbers as two parts (one+four) or as a unit (fourteen) with the -teen pattern; avoid splitting the word in spoken speech.
Learning Tips
- Practice saying numbers aloud in sequences (14, 15, 16).
- Compare fourteen with other teen numbers to feel the pattern.
- Use flashcards that pair the numeral with the word.
- Listen to native speech and pay attention to stress on teen words.
- Write a few sentences each day using fourteen.
- Play counting games that involve groups of different sizes.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'fourteen'?
A.Number before fifteen
B.Number after nine
C.Number after ten
D.Number after thirteen
Step 2: Usage
In which sentence is the word 'fourteen' used correctly?
A.She has fourteen cats at home.
B.I will buy fourteen baloons for the party.
C.They are going on vacation for fourteen.
D.The test has fourteen questions to answer.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which of the following words is an antonym of 'fourteen'?
A.Eighteen
B.Twelve
C.Fifteen
D.Two
Step 4: Opposite Words
In what real-life context would you normally encounter the number 'fourteen'?
A.Driving on the highway
B.Setting a calendar date
C.Checking the time on a clock
D.Cooking a recipe
Step 5: Mastery
Can you think of a situation where knowing the number 'fourteen' would be important?
A.Discussing a sports team's players
B.Calculating a restaurant bill
C.Counting days left for a deadline
D.Naming different colors
Related Listening
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