What does nth mean?
“Nth” is a useful mathematical-style word for referring to an unspecified position in a sequence. It is especially common in the expression “for the nth time,” which conveys mild frustration that a recurring problem has been allowed to happen again. In technical and formal writing, “nth” can mean an indefinite ordinal number, as in “the nth iteration” or “the nth element of the sequence.” The word is less common in everyday conversation than expressions such as “for the umpteenth time,” but it provides a concise, slightly more technical alternative. Its wording is usually informal or mildly formal depending on context, while “to the nth degree” is a more established idiomatic expression meaning “to an extreme extent.” The term is especially associated with mathematics and formal enumeration, but it is used wherever a precise ordinal is unnecessary and the general idea of repetition or sequence matters.
Denoting an unspecified member or position in a series.
"The nth term of the sequence is calculated by adding the preceding two terms."
The exact number represented by n is not usually important or specified in the immediate context.
Used in the expression “for the nth time,” indicating that something has happened after one or more previous occasions.
"She reminded him to lock the door for the nth time."
The idiom commonly conveys mild annoyance or exasperation.
The word “nth” comes from mathematical notation: the n-th member of a sequence is whichever member corresponds to n, so the numeral can remain deliberately unspecified.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does nth come from?
The word is formed from the mathematical symbol “n,” conventionally used for an arbitrary integer, together with the ordinal suffix “-th,” as in “n-th.” It is not a separate inherited English word but a notation-based formation that became part of general usage. The suffix “-th” also appears in many English ordinal forms, including “fifth,” “sixth,” and “eighth,” although those words have their own numerical roots. The expression “for the nth time” developed from the mathematical sense of an unspecified numbered occurrence and now commonly expresses exasperation at repetition.
How nth is actually used
The expression “for the nth time” is mildly critical or exasperated, implying that an earlier occurrence should have prevented the current problem. “To the nth degree” means to an extreme degree.