What does seventy mean?
Seventy is the cardinal number 70, formed by combining seven and ten. It can function as a noun or as a numeral adjective, as in “seventy people,” “a seventy-year-old man,” or “seventy percent.” In the plural, “seventies” names a decade, most often the 1970s, and can describe a stage of life, such as being in one’s seventies. The word is neutral in register and is used in ordinary, formal, and literary contexts alike. Beyond its basic numerical meaning, it often appears in descriptions of age, percentages, scores, prices, and anniversary milestones. Its vocabulary relatives—including seven, seventeen, and seventh—share a Germanic origin based on the words for seven and ten. Seventy is also memorable for its place in cultural history: the seventies became shorthand for a period associated especially with music, fashion, social change, and the Watergate era.
The cardinal number 70; in the plural, a decade of ten years.
"The museum has a collection of photographs from the seventies."
The plural form “seventies” is used especially for decades and for the decade of a person's life.
Denoting the number 70, or occurring seventy times.
"The charity supports seventy local schools."
The numeral can modify a counted noun directly, as in “seventy students,” or form part of a compound such as “seventy-year-old.”
Used to refer to a decade of ten years or to a period in a person's life, especially in phrases such as “the seventies” and “in his seventies.”
"Digital music became increasingly popular during the seventies."
Seventy is where seven and ten meet: a round number that also gives its name to the decade that shaped music, fashion, and popular culture.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does seventy come from?
Seventy developed from Old English seofontig, a compound of seofon, “seven,” and an element related to ten. These forms continue the Germanic pattern of combining the numbers seven and ten. The modern form seventy emerged through Middle English sound changes and became established in its present spelling and pronunciation.
How seventy is actually used
As a numeral, seventy may stand alone, modify a noun, or follow a determiner. The plural seventies is used for decades and can also mean a period of someone's life, as in a person in their seventies.
Easily confused with seventy
Seventy equals 70, whereas seventeen equals 17.
Seven equals 7, while seventy equals 70.