thirty - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
thirty Word Meanings
- The number that comes after twenty-nine.
- A numerical value representing three tens.
- A group of thirty items.
thirty Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
thirty Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈθɜːti/
US
/ˈθɜrti/
thirty Word Etymology
Thirty = thir- (related to 'three') + -ty (a suffix used to form numbers). Originated from Old English 'þirti', derived from Proto-Germanic and PIE roots. Imagine three groups of ten, stacked high like a tower of blocks.
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
First I move a finger along the row, nudging the last card forward until the count shifts from twenty-nine to thirty. I pause to let the edge align, then place the card and feel the stack settle. This small effort of adjustment keeps my rhythm and makes the moment feel real, like a turn in a game where the score moves to a new round. I carry that sense with me when I count aloud, letting the number become a live step in my routine.
Real Context
Thirty is the number that comes after twenty-nine. It represents three tens and is used in counting, ages, dates, temperatures, prices, and many expressions. You’ll see it in phrases like 'thirty days', 'thirty dollars', or 'three decades' as a rough idea of time. In speech the stress is on the first syllable: THIR-ty. As a cardinal numeral, it sits before a noun (thirty chairs) and can function in abstract statements (Thirty is an even number). The concept is the same in American and British English, and learners often confuse it with thirteen or mispronounce the ending d-sound in fast speech.
Usage Reminders
- Remember that thirty is a cardinal number. Use it before a noun: thirty chairs. For ages: she is thirty. For time: thirty minutes. In phrases: thirty dollars, thirty days. Do not drop the 'e' in 'thirty' when speaking quickly. Practice pronunciation: THIR-ty. Distinguish thirty from thirteen in fast speech.
Common Misconceptions
- Thirty and thirteen are easy to mix up for beginners due to similar spelling and the -ty ending.
- Thinking thirty is odd because it contains a 'three' in it; it is actually even.
- Using 'thirtys' or 'thirty’s' as plural or possessive is incorrect.
- Confusing 'thirty' with 'thirteen' when counting items in a group.
- Pronouncing the 'r' sound differently in American vs British English can trip learners.
Thinking Differences
This explains how English speakers typically conceptualize thirty as a round, counting-based numeral used before nouns and in time/age contexts.
Learning Tips
- Link thirty to three tens in memory (3 x 10).
- Practice with dates, prices, and ages (thirty days, thirty dollars, thirty years).
- Notice pronunciation: THIR-ty with clear T at the end.
- Compare with thirteen to reinforce the '30 vs 13' distinction.
- Use visual mnemonics like a tower of three tens.
- Record yourself saying numbers in sequences to train rhythm.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 2: Usage
In which of the following sentences is 'thirty' used correctly?
A.He is only twenty years old.
B.She has thirty cats.
C.I will be fifty next year.
D.There are hundred apples in the basket.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is similar to 'thirty'?
A.Hundred
B.Fifty
C.Eighty
D.Twenty
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of the word 'thirty'?
A.Ninety
B.Seventy
C.Ten
D.Fifty
Step 5: Mastery
In a real-life context, when would you use the word 'thirty'?
A.Number of days in a week
B.Number of minutes in an hour
C.Age of a person
D.Number of legs on a cat
Related Listening
🌱 Lite (Beginner)
🔥 Advanced
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