twenty-two

noun

twen·​ty-two ˈtwen-tē-ˈtü 

ˈtwən-

1

: a number that is one more than 21 see Table of Numbers

2

: a .22-caliber firearm

especially : one firing rimfire cartridges

—usually written .22

twenty-two adjective

twenty-two pronoun, plural in construction

Examples of twenty-two in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In 2024, twenty-two states raised the minimum wage for restaurant employees, led by California’s increase to $20 an hour, which is nearly three times the federal minimum of $7.25, further squeezing margins at restaurants. —Shimite Obialo, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025

Austin quit the game at twenty, before a brief comeback years later; Hingis retired, for the first time, at twenty-two. —Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2025

The last time Cena turned babyface was in 2003—meaning that he’s been playing good for the last twenty-two years. —Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 4 Mar. 2025

The 122 diamonds around the top edges recognize the NFL centennial and the team’s twenty-two playoff appearances. —Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 19 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1526, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for twenty-two

• amadou
• avenue
• ballyhoo
• baraboo
• barbecue
• barbeque
• bugaboo
• cabildo
• caribou
• cockatoo
• detinue
• devalue

Kids Definition

twenty-two

noun

ˌtwent-ē-ˈtü

1

: a firearm cartridge of .22 caliber

2

: a firearm of .22 caliber