SIK-stee
/ˈsɪksti/
sixty is pronounced SIK-stee (/ˈsɪksti/). Sixty is the number equal to six tens; in speech it is a two-syllable word with primary stress on the first syllable. It commonly sounds like /ˈsɪksti/ in General American and /ˈsɪksti/ in some British varieties, with a 's' sound blending into a 'k' and a clear /t/ before the final short vowel. The pronunciation emphasizes the first syllable, shaping the word’s rhythm in connected speech.
Sixty is the number equal to six tens; in speech it is a two-syllable word with primary stress on the first syllable. It commonly sounds like /ˈsɪksti/ in General American and /ˈsɪksti/ in some British varieties, with a 's' sound blending into a 'k' and a clear /t/ before the final short vowel. The pronunciation emphasizes the first syllable, shaping the word’s rhythm in connected speech.
"We need sixty minutes in an hour."
"The speed limit is sixty miles per hour."
"She bought sixty apples for the fundraiser."
Say it as two syllables with primary stress on the first: /ˈsɪk.sti/. Start with the /s/ and short i /ɪ/ in the first syllable, then a light /k/ stop, followed by /sti/ where /t/ is released into a short /i/ vowel. In careful speech you can hear the two clear beats: SI-xty. For audio reference, imagine standard General American or British broadcast pronunciation and listen for the crisp /t/ before the final /i/.
Common errors include blending the two syllables into a quick /ˈsɪkstee/ or merging the second vowel with a weak /j/ glide, producing /ˈsɪkst.i/ or /ˈsiːksti/. Another pitfall is misplacing the /t/—often as a soft flap instead of a clear /t/. Correct by ensuring a full /k/ closure before the final /t/, and make the /t/ release crisp and followed by a short /i/ from the nucleus. Practice with focused drills and listen for the two distinct syllables.
In General American, you have /ˈsɪk.sti/ with clear /k/ and /t/; the second syllable is unstressed and you may hear a short /i/. In many UK varieties, /ˈsɪk.sti/ remains similar, but some speakers may devoice the final /t/ or use a softer release depending on locale. Australian English tends toward /ˈsɪk.sti/ as well, with a slightly broader vowel in the first syllable and very characteristic crisp /t/ release. Overall, rhoticity is less critical here than the clarity of the two syllables and the /t/ release.
The difficulty comes from the two-clause rhythm: the /ɪ/ in the first syllable and the quick transition to /k/ and /t/ with a short, stressed first syllable. Speakers often mispronounce by turning it into one syllable or by weakening the /t/ release. Also, subtle vowel quality in /ɪ/ and the timing of the /t/ release can vary with speed. Focusing on a crisp /k/ and a clear /t/ helps. IPA cues: /ˈsɪk.sti/.
Sixty uniquely features a hard /k/ onset of the second syllable immediately after the first syllable’s vowel, and a final /i/ sound that can reduce in fast speech. The stress remains firmly on the first syllable, creating a strong initial beat that is essential for intelligibility in numeracy contexts. Keep the /k/ and /t/ separate, and avoid turning the second syllable into a swallow of sounds.
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Sixty derives from Old English sixty (also written sixtiġ or sixtiġ), formed from the base numerals six and -tiġ, which is related to the Proto-Germanic *sekskuz (six) plus a suffix for the tens. The term evolved through Middle English as sixti and finally settled into sixty by Early Modern English. The word shares its root with other numerals built from six and a multiple of ten, reflecting a base-10 counting system common to many Germanic languages. The phonological development preserved the voiceless /s/ at the start and the /k/ onset in the second syllable, with a reduced second vowel in connected speech. First known written examples appear in medieval English texts, aligning with the broader codification of numbers in numerals and words during that era.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "sixty" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "sixty"
-fty sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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