eighty

noun

ˈā-tē 

plural eighties

1

: a number that is equal to eight times 10 see Table of Numbers

2

eighties plural : the numbers 80 to 89

specifically : the years 80 to 89 in a lifetime or century

eightieth

ˈā-tē-əth 

adjective or noun

eighty adjective

eighty pronoun, plural in construction

Examples of eighty in a Sentence

The temperature rose to the high eighties.

She is in her mid-eighties.

Recent Examples on the Web

High temperatures were in the eighties, with more than 80 percent humidity. —Lisa Jhung, Outside Online, 14 Feb. 2025

So this [former] struggling actor [Michael Shaw], who’s now in his eighties, has closure to this huge saga in his life as a result of how unexpectedly this all played out. —Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Jan. 2025

During the eighties, a Soviet crew reported possible hallucinations; another crew is thought to have grown depressed enough that its mission was prematurely terminated. —Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025

The series became famous for being a relic of the eighties thanks to its rock anthems, gaudy clothing and karate falling out of fashion. —Caroline Reid, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English eighty, adjective, from Old English eahtatig, short for hundeahtatig, noun, group of eighty, from hund-, literally, hundred + eahta eight + -tig group of ten; akin to Old English tīen ten

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing eighty

• eighty-six
• ten-eighty

Rhymes for eighty

• kati
• katy
• platy
• slaty
• weighty

Kids Definition

eighty

noun

ˈāt-ē 

plural eighties

: a number that is equal to eight times 10 see number

eightieth

-ē-əth 

adjective or noun

eighty adjective or pronoun