What does seventh mean?
“Seventh” is the ordinal number corresponding to seven, meaning the position immediately after sixth in a sequence. It can describe the seventh item in a list, the seventh day or point in a period, or the seventh member of a group. In dates, it normally appears before the noun: “the seventh of June.” It can also stand alone as a noun, especially in “on the seventh,” and as an adverb in phrases such as “finish seventh.” The word is used in both formal and informal contexts, from describing dates and stages in a process to identifying rankings. Its forms relate to the Germanic root represented by “seven,” while the ending -th marks it as an ordinal number.
Denoting the position or rank immediately after sixth in a sequence.
"The seventh chapter was especially influential."
Commonly hyphenated when attributive and modifying another adjective, as in “seventh-largest.”
The seventh member or position in an ordered sequence.
"She arrived on the seventh of the month."
Often used in dates and formal sequences; the plural “sevenths” is uncommon but occurs in musical and mathematical contexts.
In the position or rank immediately after sixth.
"He placed seventh in the final race."
Used especially in rankings and competition results.
Uncommon; used chiefly for distinct seventh elements or positions, especially in music and mathematics.
"The chord contains two sevenths."
The word “seventh” has a silent final consonant in its -th ending, but the ending is pronounced in the standard form of the word.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does seventh come from?
“Seventh” comes from Old English “seofunda,” an ordinal formed from “seofon,” the Old English form of “seven.” The word was borrowed into Middle English in this form and developed into the modern “seventh.” Its related forms include “seventeen” and “seventy,” which also continue the same inherited Germanic numeral family.
Related word forms
How seventh is actually used
When used before a noun, “seventh” is typically hyphenated, as in “seventh-largest” or “seventh-anniversary.”
Easily confused with seventh
“Seventh” is the ordinal form of “seven,” while “seven” is the cardinal form naming the number itself.