sixth

noun

ˈsiks(t)th  ˈsiks(t) 

plural sixths

ˈsiks(ts),

ˈsiks(t)ths 

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 

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

Hoerner’s first home run of the season, a two-run shot that just cleared the left-field wall, cut the Cardinals lead to one in the sixth. —Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025

In the sixth, Bellinger hit an infield single, but Trent Grisham was called out at second when his leg touched the ball. —Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025

With two runners on and two outs in the sixth, Wells took off from first on a 3-2 count, drawing a pickoff throw that ultimately resulted in Volpe being caught in a rundown. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 19 June 2025

The loss, the Twins’ sixth in a row, dropped them below the .500 mark at 36-37. —Jeff Wallner, Twin Cities, 19 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sixth

• sixth chord
• sixth form
• sixth form college
• sixth sense

Kids Definition

sixth

noun

ˈsiks(t)th 

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 

ˈsikst-

adverb