Sixth is the ordinal form of six, used to describe the position in a sequence (sixth place) or a fraction denominator (one-sixth). It is pronounced with a consonant cluster at the end and a stressed short vowel in the first syllable, yielding a crisp, clipped final sound. The word functions as an adjective in most contexts, often modifying nouns like “grade,” “sense,” or “generation.”
"She finished sixth in the race after a strong sprint."
"We studied the sixth chapter of the book."
"He earned a score of sixty in the test, halving the probability to sixth."
"The committee met for the sixth time this year to discuss progress."
Sixth derives from Old English sixotha, from Proto-Germanic *sikhs- related to six, then the suffix -th denoting ordinality. The word cognates with Old High German sehste, Dutch zesde, and German sechste, reflecting a common Germanic root linked to the numeral six. The ordinal suffix -th began to appear in Middle English to form adjectives indicating position (first, second, third, sixth). Early senses described order rather than quantity, and as numerals expanded, sixth became standard for indicating the sixth item in lists or series. First known uses appear in Middle English texts; by the 14th–15th centuries, sixth was established in both spoken and written forms, with its pronunciation stabilized around /sɪksθ/ in most dialects, while some regional variants showed minor vowel shifts or consonant clustering refinements. The current usage remains stable in modern English across dialects, maintaining the final -th cluster characteristic of ordinals formed from the cardinal six with the -th suffix.
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Words that rhyme with "Sixth"
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Pronounce it as /sɪksθ/. The first syllable is stressed with a short, clipped /ɪ/ as in “sit,” followed by the consonant cluster /ks/ and the voiceless dental fricative /θ/ in the final position. Tip: keep the tongue at the alveolar ridge for the /θ/ and release air quietly. Audio reference: listen to standard dictionaries or pronunciation tutorials for contrastive listening. IPA: /sɪksθ/.
Common errors: 1) Slurring the final /θ/ to an /f/ or /ð/; 2) Dropping the /s/ so it sounds like /ɪksθ/; 3) Misplacing the tongue for /θ/, producing a /s/ or /z/ at the end. Correction: maintain the clear /s/ onset, then transition quickly to the dental fricative /θ/ with the tongue blade lightly touching the upper teeth while exhaling. Practice saying /sɪksθ/ slowly, then speed up while keeping the final /θ/ voiceless.
US/UK/AU share /sɪksθ/, but subtle differences exist: US often has a stronger vowel height in /ɪ/ and crisper /s/; UK may display slightly more rounded lips on /ɪ/ and a more dental contact for /θ/; AU tends toward a slightly flatter /ɪ/ and a softer /θ/ with less dental contact in casual speech. Rhoticity is not a factor here since /r/ is not present. Overall, all three typically maintain /θ/ at the end, with minor vowel color differences.
The final /θ/ sound in sixth is a frequent source of difficulty because it requires precise dental articulation and a voiceless airflow. The previous cluster /ks/ can make the transition into /θ/ abrupt, especially in rapid speech. Students often substitute /θ/ with /f/ or /t/ or drop /s/ altogether. Mastery involves keeping the /s/ audible while guiding the tongue to contact the upper teeth for /θ/, maintaining voicelessness and clean release.
Question: Is the /s/ in 'Sixth' truly separate from the /θ/ or should you blend them under a single continuous release? Answer: In careful pronunciation you maintain a brief, distinct boundary: /s/ followed by /ɪ/ then /ks/ before the /θ/. The tongue contacts for /s/ at the alveolar ridge, quickly shifts to /ɪ/ and /k/ combinations, then a clear dental fricative /θ/ by the upper teeth. This separation helps listeners perceive the ordinality clearly, particularly in careful or formal speech.
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