sixty

noun

six·​ty ˈsiks-tē How to pronounce sixty (audio)
plural sixties
1
: a number that is equal to six times 10 see Table of Numbers
2
sixties plural : the numbers 60 to 69
specifically : the years 60 to 69 in a lifetime or century
sixtieth adjective or noun
sixty adjective
sixty pronoun, plural in construction
sixtyish adjective

Examples of sixty in a Sentence

He retired when he was in his sixties.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
His latest is a departure: a chronicle of his unlikely stint playing semi-pro football in Brenham, Texas, in his sixties. Michael Schaub, Oc Register, 15 July 2025 In Bat Yam, a woman who appeared to be in her late sixties physically blocked two men — one with a small dog — from entering a shelter. Deborah Danan, Sun Sentinel, 26 June 2025 Suzanne, a widow in her sixties, meets Osmane, a young undocumented migrant worker, one evening in Beirut. Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 24 June 2025 Jaws was criticized for shepherding Hollywood out of the daring age of the late sixties and early seventies into a more impersonal multiplex age, but that’s not the film’s fault: That’s just a measure of how amazing an achievement Jaws actually was. Tim Grierson, Vulture, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for sixty

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from sixty, adjective, from Old English siextig, noun, group of sixty, from siex six + -tig group of ten; akin to Old English tīen ten

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sixty was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sixty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sixty. Accessed 31 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

sixty

noun
six·​ty ˈsik-stē How to pronounce sixty (audio)
plural sixties
: a number that is equal to six times 10 see number
sixtieth adjective or noun
sixty adjective or pronoun

More from Merriam-Webster on sixty

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!