What does tenthly mean?
Tenthly is an adverb that identifies something as the tenth item in an ordered series, argument, or set of steps. It is especially associated with formal enumeration, such as a speaker presenting ten points or a writer structuring a discussion in a clearly numbered order. The related word “tenth” names the number or position itself, while “tenthly” shows how an item functions within the sequence: “Tenthly, the committee considered costs.” Although understood in British and American English, tenthly is much less common than everyday alternatives such as “in tenth place” or “the tenth point.” Its explicit sequence marking can be useful in legal, academic, procedural, and rhetorical contexts, though overuse may make ordinary prose sound stiff or unnecessarily elaborate. Its form reflects the general English method of turning an ordinal number into an adverb by adding the suffix “-ly.”
adverbIn the tenth place in a series or sequence. It is used especially when enumerating points, reasons, or stages.
- In the tenth place in a sequence or enumeration.
"Tenthly, the committee considered the environmental impact of the proposal."
"Tenthly, the committee considered the environmental impact of the proposal."
"In his explanation, the speaker tenthly addressed the reasons for delaying the vote."
Where “tenth” names the position, “tenthly” performs it by marking the tenth step in a sequence.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tenthly come from?
“Tenthly” was formed in English by adding the productive adverbial suffix “-ly” to “tenth.” “Tenth” continues Old English “tēona,” an ordinal associated with Old English “tēn,” meaning “ten,” and ultimately continues the same Indo-European root for ten that appears in Latin “decimus” and Greek “deka.” The suffix “-ly” had become an established way of forming adverbs from adjectives in Middle English, allowing “tenth” to become the sequential adverb “tenthly.”
How tenthly is actually used
This is a formal and relatively uncommon sequencing adverb, encountered more often in written argument, legal or academic discourse, and enumerated instructions. Writers often use it when maintaining an explicit numbered sequence; in less formal writing, a phrase such as “in tenth place” may sound more natural. Its rarity can make a sentence sound deliberately formal or ceremonious.
Easily confused with tenthly
“Tenth” is an adjective or noun identifying the number or position, whereas “tenthly” is an adverb marking the tenth step in a sequence.