Definition

Noun: A fraction representing two out of three equal parts of a whole. It is equivalent to the division of something into three equal portions, with two of those portions combined.

Usage

The term "two-thirds" is used to specify a proportion or majority that is more than half but less than the whole. It is commonly used with "of" to indicate the whole that is being divided. - As a quantifier: It modifies a noun phrase to indicate the specific portion. - With singular/plural verbs: When "two-thirds of" is followed by an uncountable noun or a singular collective noun, the verb is typically singular. When followed by a plural noun, the verb is plural.

Examples

• Basic Usage:
  • Two-thirds of the cake has been eaten. (Here, "cake" is singular/uncountable, so the verb "has" is singular.)
  • Two-thirds of the students are present today. (Here, "students" is plural, so the verb "are" is plural.)
• Standalone Use:
  • The proposal requires a two-thirds majority to pass.
  • He finished two-thirds of the work before leaving.

Advanced Usage

• Mathematical and Formal Contexts: Used in statistics, law, and formal agreements to specify a supermajority or a significant proportion.
  • A two-thirds vote is needed to amend the constitution.
  • The mixture is composed of two-thirds water and one-third concentrate.

Variants and Related Words

• Fraction: The general class to which "two-thirds" belongs (e.g., one-half, three-quarters).
• Majority: A related concept, though a simple "majority" is more than half, while a "two-thirds majority" is a specific, larger proportion.
• 66.6% (or 66.7%): The decimal and percentage equivalents of two-thirds.

Synonyms

• 66 percent (approximate)
• The greater part (imprecise synonym indicating a large majority)

Notes on Meaning

• Precise Proportion: Unlike vague terms like "most" or "the majority," "two-thirds" denotes a specific, quantifiable fraction (approximately 66.67%).
• Not a Compound Action: The term itself is a single, fixed noun phrase describing a quantity. It is not used as a verb or adjective in its core meaning.

Noun

1. two of three equal parts of a divisible whole