What does thirteenthly mean?
“Thirteenthly” is an adverb used to identify the thirteenth position in a sequence, ranking, or list. It corresponds to the ordinal form “thirteenth” and can be used in formal statements, reports, speeches, competitions, and enumerations. For example, a team may be described as finishing thirteenthly, or a document may list an issue thirteenthly among its priorities. The word is precise but uncommon in ordinary conversation, where speakers are more likely to say “in thirteenth place” or use the numeral “13th.” Its usefulness lies in making the order explicit while preserving a formal style. It belongs to a wider family of sequence adverbs, including “firstly,” “secondly,” and “fourteenthly,” although many speakers use those forms more readily when discussing only the first few positions. Overall, “thirteenthly” is best suited to contexts in which an exact place in an extended ordered series matters.
adverbIn the position of being thirteenth in a sequence or list.
- In the position of being thirteenth in a sequence or list.
"The declaration was thirteenthly among the resolutions adopted at the conference."
"The team finished thirteenthly in the national championship."
"Thirteenthly, the survey identified reduced access to specialist healthcare as a major concern."
“Thirteenthly” is the precision-tool for the thirteenth spot: it tells you not only how many, but exactly where in the order.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does thirteenthly come from?
The base word “thirteen” comes through Old English and Middle English from Germanic numeral forms. The ordinal “thirteenth” adds the inherited Germanic suffix “-th,” used to form ordinal numbers. The adverbial ending “-ly,” also found in “firstly” and “secondly,” then converts the ordinal into a word indicating position in a sequence.
Related word forms
How thirteenthly is actually used
This is a formal and relatively uncommon ordinal adverb. In everyday speech, “in thirteenth place” or a numeral may be preferred.
Easily confused with thirteenthly
“Thirteenth” is the ordinal adjective or noun identifying position, whereas “thirteenthly” is the adverb indicating that position in a sequence.
“Thirteen” is the cardinal number, while “thirteenthly” refers to the thirteenth position in an ordered series.