ten

noun

ˈten How to pronounce ten (audio)
plural tens
Synonyms of tennext
1
: a number that is one more than nine see Table of Numbers
2
: the 10th in a set or series
wears a ten
3
: something having 10 units or members
4
: a 10-dollar bill
5
: one deserving the highest rating
specifically : an exceptionally attractive person
ten adjective
ten pronoun, plural in construction
see also:
hang ten take ten

Synonyms of ten

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Examples of ten in a Sentence

“What time is it” “It's ten.” promised me that she would fix me up with a ten
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.
The program has since expanded to more than 50 countries, and families have completed tens of millions of trips through teen accounts since the accounts were introduced, according to the company. — Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026 In those years, pandemic measures and remote work opportunities brought tens of thousands of mostly conservative Californians to Idaho, spiking home prices. — Idaho Statesman, 26 Aug. 2026 Some of his highlight compilations and training videos received tens of millions of views. — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026 These tens of thousands of petroglyphs depict animals, spiritual figures, and sacred stories. — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ten

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, going back to Old English tīen (West Saxon), tēn, going back to Germanic *tehun (whence also Old Frisian tiān, tiēn "ten," Old Saxon tehan, Old High German zehan, Old Norse tíu, Gothic taihun), going back to Indo-European *deḱm̥, whence also Old Irish deich "ten," Welsh deg, Latin decem, Old Church Slavic desętĭ, Lithuanian dẽšimt, Albanian dhjetë, Greek déka, Armenian tasn, Tocharian A śäk, Tocharian B śak, Avestan dasa, Sanskrit daśa

Note: The Slavic, Baltic, and perhaps Albanian forms are derived from the ordinal base *deḱm̥-t-.

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ten was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing ten

Rhymes for ten

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Browse Nearby Words

Temuco
ten
Ten'a
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Cite this Entry

“Ten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ten. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

ten

noun
ˈten How to pronounce ten (audio)
1
: a number that is one more than nine see number
2
: the tenth in a set or series
the ten of hearts
3
: something having ten units or members
4
: a 10-dollar bill
ten adjective or pronoun

Medical Definition

TEN

abbreviation
toxic epidermal necrolysis
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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