Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Coming next after the twelfth in a sequence: "Thirteenth" describes the position in order following the twelfth item.
   • Constituting number thirteen in a series: It indicates the ordinal form of the cardinal number thirteen (13).

2. Noun:

   • Position 13 in a countable series of things: "Thirteenth" refers to the rank or place identified by the number thirteen.
   • One of thirteen equal parts: It can denote a fraction, one part of something divided into thirteen equal portions.
   • The person or thing occupying the thirteenth position: It identifies the specific item or individual in that place in a sequence.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • She celebrated her thirteenth birthday. (This describes her birthday as being the one following her twelfth.)
  • The thirteenth chapter of the book is the most exciting. (This specifies the chapter's position in the sequence.)
• Noun:
  • He finished in thirteenth in the race. (This refers to his finishing position.)
  • Cut the cake into thirteenths so everyone gets a piece. (This uses the word to mean one of thirteen equal parts.)
  • Friday the thirteenth is considered an unlucky day in some cultures. (This names a specific day in the month's sequence.)

Advanced Usage

• "The thirteenth hour": A metaphorical or poetic phrase, not a literal time, often suggesting a time beyond the normal or expected (e.g., past midnight or in a supernatural context).
  • The spell could only be cast at the thirteenth hour.
• Used in formal or historical sequencing, such as monarchs (Louis XIII was "Louis the Thirteenth") or amendments (the Thirteenth Amendment to the US Constitution).

Variants and Related Words

• Thirteen (cardinal number, n/adj): The number 13.
  • There were thirteen guests at the table.
• Thirteenthly (adv, rare): Used to introduce the thirteenth point in a list.
  • Thirteenthly, we must consider the long-term costs.

Synonyms

• 13th (adj/n): The numeric abbreviation.
• No direct single-word synonyms for the ordinal position; it is defined by its specific numeric place in the sequence.

Related Phrases

• Bakers' dozen: A phrase meaning thirteen items, originating from a historical practice of bakers adding an extra item to a standard dozen to avoid penalties for short weight.
  • I ordered a dozen bagels but got a bakers' dozen.
• Unlucky thirteen: A common superstition associating the number thirteen with bad luck.
  • Some buildings skip the thirteenth floor due to the superstition of unlucky thirteen.

Adjective

1. coming next after the twelfth in position

Noun

1. position 13 in a countable series of things