What is ordinal number? How to use in English

Discover the meaning of ordinal number in English, its pronunciation, and how to use it correctly in real-life situations. See examples and easy memorization tips.

Definition & pronunciation of ordinal number

ordinal numbernoun
số thứ tự

Definition & pronunciation of <strong>ordinal number</strong>

Where does the word ordinal number come from?

The word "ordinal" comes from the Latin word "ordinālis," meaning "of order." This reflects the core function of ordinal numbers – to denote the position of something in a sequence. For example, "first," "second," and "third" are ordinal numbers that tell us the order of items in a list. The "-al" ending, common in English, signifies a relationship or belonging, further reinforcing the connection between ordinal numbers and their ordered nature.

Example of vocabulary ordinal numbernamespace

a number defining the position of something in a series, such as ‘first’, ‘second’, or ‘third’. Ordinal numbers are used as adjectives, nouns, and pronouns.

The race is scheduled for third place on the calendar.
She graduated at the top of her class, scoring the highest mark in third position.
The third quarter earnings report will be released tomorrow afternoon.
The third-ranked soccer team will play against the second-ranked team in the semifinals.
This week's product launch will take place in third place followed by the United States and France.