What is six? How to use in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of six

sixnumber

sáu

/sɪks//sɪks/

Where does the word six come from?

The word "six" in English has its roots in the Old English language. In Old English, the number six was represented by the word "sǣx," which was derived from the Proto-Germanic "seks." This root is also responsible for the German word "sechs" and the Dutch word "zes." The Proto-Germanic "seks" is believed to have originally meant "half a dozen," as it is half of the number twelve. This makes sense as "dōzen" (the bridge between twelve and twelve halves) is traditionally derived from the Latin "duodecim." The evolution of the word "six" in Old English is fascinating. Over time, the pronunciation changed from "sǣx" to "ses" in Middle English, and then to "six" in Modern English. However, the spelling of the word remained consistent, despite numerous other instances of spelling variation in the English language over the centuries. Interestingly, some Germanic languages have evolved the word "six" in different ways. For example, the Yiddish word for six, "shiys," is of unknown origin, and the Faroese word, "sykl," has evolved to mean "sixties" in English. Overall, "six" is a relatively simple word with its origins in Proto-Germanic, but its evolution in English has been a slow and steady process. Its fascinating history serves as a reminder of the complex and interconnected nature of languages.

Vocabulary summary six

typeadjective

meaningsix

exampletwice six is twelve: two times six is ​​twelve

exampleto be six: six (years old)

typenoun

meaningsix

exampletwice six is twelve: two times six is ​​twelve

exampleto be six: six (years old)

meaning(plural) if six (six trees make one pound)

meaning(card game) six; six face (dice)

Example of vocabulary sixnamespace

meaning

6

  • There are six cookies left.
  • six of Sweden’s top financial experts
  • Ten people were invited but only six turned up.
  • Can you lend me six dollars?
  • a six-month contract
meaning

a hit that scores six runs (= points)

Idioms of vocabulary six

at sixes and sevens
(informal)in a confused state; not well organized
  • I haven't had time to clear up, so I'm all at sixes and sevens.
be six feet under
(informal)to be dead and buried in the ground
    hit/knock somebody for six
    (British English)to affect somebody very deeply
    • The business over the lawsuit had really knocked her for six.
    it’s six of one and half a dozen of the other
    (saying)used to say that there is not much real difference between two possible choices

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