Ordinals

English ordinal numbers vocabulary, including examples and explanations for first through twenty-first.

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Ordinal numbers are words that show the position or order of things in a list, such as first, second, third, and so on. They are used to describe rankings, dates, and sequences.

Cardinal vs. Ordinal: Cardinal numbers (one, two, three) show quantity. Ordinals (first, second, third) show position or order.
Common Usage: Ordinals are used for dates (July 4th), rankings (1st place), and sequences (chapter 2).
Numbering Beyond 20: Use the cardinal number plus -th (e.g., 21st, 22nd, 23rd).

st through 10th

These are the basic ordinal numbers every English learner should know. Note that first, second, and third are irregular forms.

English Z	Ordinal Z	English Example	Ordinal Example
first	first	She finished first in the race.	She finished first in the race.
second	second	He came second in the competition.	He came second in the competition.
third	third	This is my third time here.	This is my third time here.
fourth	fourth	The fourth chapter is interesting.	The fourth chapter is interesting.
fifth	fifth	I live on the fifth floor.	I live on the fifth floor.
sixth	sixth	June 6th is my birthday.	June sixth is my birthday.
seventh	seventh	She was seventh in line.	She was seventh in line.
eighth	eighth	We arrived on the eighth of July.	We arrived on the eighth of July.
ninth	ninth	This is the ninth time I’ve tried.	This is the ninth time I’ve tried.
tenth	tenth	He won the tenth prize.	He won the tenth prize.

Esta es mi ___ vez aquí.

This is my ___ time here.

first

third

second

fourth

third

'Third' indicates the next position after second.

Él llegó en el lugar ___ en la competencia.

He came ___ in the competition.

first

second

third

fourth

second

'Second' is the ordinal for the position after first.

th through 20th

These ordinals continue the pattern, with all ending in -th. They are used for ordering items, dates, and more.

English	Ordinal	English Example	Ordinal Example
eleventh	th	Today is the eleventh of May.	Today is the eleventh of May.
twelfth	th	She finished twelfth in the race.	She finished twelfth in the race.
thirteenth	th	The thirteenth chapter is difficult.	The thirteenth chapter is difficult.
fourteenth	th	They moved on the fourteenth.	They moved on the fourteenth.
fifteenth	th	The project is due on the fifteenth.	The project is due on the fifteenth.
sixteenth	th	He was born on the sixteenth.	He was born on the sixteenth.
seventeenth	th	Our meeting is on the seventeenth.	Our meeting is on the seventeenth.
eighteenth	th	The eighteenth century was a time of change.	The eighteenth century was a time of change.
nineteenth	th	It’s the nineteenth of November.	It’s the nineteenth of November.
twentieth	th	She’s in her twentieth year of teaching.	She’s in her twentieth year of teaching.

Beyond 20th

After 20, ordinal numbers are formed by writing the cardinal number plus the suffix -st, -nd, -rd, or -th. The last two letters of the cardinal number usually determine the suffix.

Ordinal	Example	Meaning
st	He finished 21st in the race.	st place
nd	Today is the 22nd of June.	nd day of June
rd	She lives on the 23rd floor.	rd floor
th	The meeting is on the 24th.	th day
th	It’s the 25th anniversary.	th anniversary
th	The 30th day of the month is special.	th day
th	He celebrated his 40th birthday.	th birthday
th	The 50th wedding anniversary is golden.	th anniversary
th	She finished 100th in the competition.	th place
st	He was the 101st customer today.	st customer

Usage Tips

Ordinal numbers can be used with nouns, in dates, and in spoken English with abbreviations.

Tip	Example	Explanation
Use with nouns	This is the third book.	Ordinal + noun
Use for dates	July 4th,	Common in writing and speech
Use abbreviations in writing	st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th	Common in informal writing
Pronunciation tip	st (first), 2nd (second), 3rd (third)	Irregular forms have unique pronunciation
Use “the” before ordinals	She is the fifth person.	“The” is required before ordinals

Common Phrases with Ordinals

Ordinal numbers appear in many set phrases and expressions in English.

Phrase	Example	Meaning
first of all	First of all, let’s review the rules.	To begin with
at the second	She won at the second attempt.	On the second try
third time’s the charm	This is the third time. Third time’s the charm!	Third attempt will succeed
tenth anniversary	They celebrated their tenth anniversary.	years together
twenty-first century	We live in the twenty-first century.	Modern era

Understanding English ordinal numbers is essential for talking about order, dates, and more. Practice using them in sentences to become confident!

Esta es la tercera vez. ¡___ vez es la vencida!

This is the third time. ___ time’s the charm!

First

Third

Second

Tenth

Third

'Third time’s the charm' is a common saying meaning the third attempt will succeed.

Ordinal Z: first
Ordinal Example: She finished first in the race.

English Z: first
English Example: She finished first in the race.

English