plural sixths
ˈsiks(ts),
ˈsiks(t)ths How to pronounce sixth (audio)
1
: one that is number six in a series
We'll be arriving on the sixth.
Her office is the sixth on the left.
see Table of Numbers
2
: one of six equal parts of something
one sixth of the total
3
a
: a musical interval embracing six diatonic degrees
b
: a tone at this interval
specifically : submediant
c
: the harmonic combination of two tones a sixth apart
sixth adjective or adverb
the book's sixth chapter
the state's sixth largest city
sixthly
ˈsiksth-lē How to pronounce sixth (audio)
ˈsikst-
adverb
Sixthly, don't let your screaming tenor soar an octave above all the balance of the chorus … Mark Twain

Examples of sixth in a Sentence

Only about a sixth of the town voted for her.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Prospect watch: Right-hander Zach Agnos, hoping to impress enough to earn a spot in the big-league bullpen, served up solo home runs to Tyler Stephenson and Will Benson in Cincinnati’s two-run sixth. Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post, 4 Mar. 2025 The air up there Saturday’s 72-69 win at Wyoming was the Aztecs’ sixth in elevation this season. Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2025 His participation in the Sanremo Festival, scheduled for February 11-15, is already the 29-year-old’s sixth. Billboard Italy, Billboard, 5 Feb. 2025 The Padres had runners on the corners with one out in the sixth. Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sixth

Word History

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sixth was in the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Sixth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sixth. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

sixth

noun
ˈsiks(t)th How to pronounce sixth (audio)
ˈsiks(t)
plural sixths
1
: one that is number six in a series see number
2
: the difference in pitch between the first tone and the sixth tone of a scale
sixth adjective or adverb
sixthly
ˈsiksth-lē How to pronounce sixth (audio)
ˈsikst-
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on sixth

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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