plural noun
Banknotes worth twenty dollars each.
The cashier gave me two twenties.
I keep a few twenties in my wallet.
American English
How to pronounce twenties
nounA1Very common word
TWEHneez
/ˈtʰwɛ.niz/
2 syllables · Stress the first syllable.
Form of twenty
Banknotes worth twenty dollars each.
What to listen for
“Twenties” is commonly pronounced /ˈtʰwɛn.tiz/, but many Americans drop the middle /t/ and say /ˈtʰwɛ.niz/, even when saying the word alone.
Usual pronunciation/ˈtʰwɛn.tiz/
Common shortened pronunciation/ˈtʰwɛ.niz/
Meanings & examples
plural noun for ages
The years when a person is between twenty and twenty-nine years old.
She traveled a lot in her twenties.
Many people change careers in their twenties.
plural noun for a decade
A period of ten years from a year ending in 20 through a year ending in 29, especially 1920 through 1929.
Jazz flourished in the twenties.
Fashion from the twenties is popular again.
Useful expressions
aged 20
My brother is twenty years old.
aged 20 to 29
She started her business in her twenties.
the years from 1920 to 1929, or another decade ending in 20–29
Jazz became popular in the twenties.
Related words & forms
The form for position is twentieth, not twentyth. For ages 20–29, write twenties, not twentys.