Twenty is a cardinal number used to denote the sum of two tens. It is commonly used as a unit of age, quantity, or time, and appears in various phrases such as “twenty-one,” “twenty percent,” and “twenty minutes.” It is pronounced with two syllables and a stress on the first syllable, and its pronunciation can reveal subtle vowel and consonant patterns characteristic of English.
- US vs UK vs AU: /ˈtwɛn.ti/ is standard, with US often maintaining a crisper /t/ release; UK may show a slightly tensed /e/ in /ɛm/ region and a flatter final /ti/; AU often exhibits a softer /t/ and slightly reduced second vowel length. Vowel references: /ɛ/ as in bet, /i/ as in see. - In US, rhoticity affects surrounding vowels in connected speech; you may hear /ˈtwɛn.ti/ with clear r-colored vowel only if adjacent words require it. - Pay attention to the boundary between /n/ and /t/: avoid a nasalising /n/ into /t/; keep a clean pause or light alveolar release. - IPA anchors: US /ˈtwɛn.ti/, UK /ˈtwent.i/ (less vowel height difference), AU /ˈtwɛn.ti/.
"She turned twenty yesterday and celebrated with friends."
"Twenty people RSVP’d for the meeting this afternoon."
"The shop offers twenty percent off all items this weekend."
"We need to arrive by twenty to secure good seating."
Twenty derives from Old English twēntī, from Germanic roots tied to the notion of two tens. The form evolved from Proto-Germanic *twegti, with cognates appearing in several Germanic languages. The early usage in Old English tended to express the quantity as a composite of two tens, reflecting a base-ten counting system. Over time, Middle English simplified the pronunciation and spelling to twenty, aligning with other round-number formations in Germanic languages. The earliest documented use in English texts appears in medieval glossaries and legal documents, where precise counts were essential for trade, taxation, and dating events. The word’s durability stems from its role as a foundational numeral in counting from twenty onward, and its phonological structure has remained relatively stable despite broader shifts in vowel quality and consonant articulation across English dialects.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Twenty" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Twenty" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Twenty" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "Twenty"
-me) sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
Pronounce as two syllables: /ˈtwɛn.ti/. Start with a stressed /twɛn/ where the tongue sits high‑front and the lips are spread, then glide into a light, unstressed /ti/ with a near‑close front vowel. In connected speech, you may hear a slight reduction to /ˈtwɛn.tɪ/ in rapid speech, but careful pronunciation keeps /ti/ clear. For reference, listen to native clips on Pronounce or Forvo to hear standard US/UK variants.
Common mistakes include reducing the first syllable to /ˈtwæn/ or misplacing the vowel as /ɪ/ or /iː/ in the first syllable. Some learners also run the /t/ into the /w/ making a blended /twi/ instead of a clean /twɛn/. To correct: keep /tw/ as a cluster, deliver /ˈtwɛn/ with the mid front vowel, and then clearly articulate /ti/ with a light, short /i/ sound. Practice at a slow pace with minimal pairs.
In US English, /ˈtwɛn.ti/ is rhotic and precise on /t/; in many UK varieties you’ll hear a crisp /twɛn.ti/ with slightly tensed /e/; Australian English often reduces the final vowel a touch and may fuse the /t/ to a softer stop, giving a slightly flatter /ˈtwɛn.dʒi/?—note: most speakers preserve /ti/ clearly. Overall, the core nosing syllable is /ˈtwɛn/ with a definite, non‑rhotic lengthening of the second syllable in some dial.
The challenge lies in the /tw/ onset, the mid front vowel in /twɛn/, and the following /ti/ where the tongue must move quickly from the mid front vowel to a high front vowel. Non‑native speakers often merge /ɛn/ to /ɛn/ or reduce the final /i/ to a schwa. Practice keeping a clean/tensed /tw/ onset, ensuring the /ɛ/ is distinct, and delivering the final /i/ as a short, crisp vowel.
A common nuance is whether the /t/ is strongly released or lightly tapped in rapid speech. In careful speech you’ll hear a clear /t/ release between /twɛn/ and /ti/. In casual speech you may hear a softened or even elided release in rapid phrases like "twenty‑four" where the following word influences the boundary. Focus on maintaining the first stressed syllable /ˈtwɛn/ and a distinct /ti/ to preserve clarity.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "Twenty"!
- Shadowing: listen to a 60‑second clip of a native speaker saying numbers including twenty; repeat immediately with identical timing, focusing on the /tw/ onset and the /ɛn/ vowel, then the /ti/ final. - Minimal pairs: practice with twenty vs tutu, twenty vs twenty-one to hear boundary. - Rhythm: practice with metronome at 60–90 BPM focusing on weak/strong beat pattern; you want primary stress on the first syllable, a quick transition to the second. - Stress: practice isolating the stressed syllable /ˈtwɛn/ and then releasing into /ti/. - Recording: use your phone to record and compare to reference clips; adjust mouth shape to resemble the native pattern. - Context sentences: “Twenty minutes later, twenty more minutes.” - Mouth positions: start with open jaw for /ɛ/ then drop to the high-front /i/ mouth shape for /ti/; keep lips relaxed but not rounded.
No related words found
