dozen
n.-
1 a group of twelve (n.) A2 Elementarya group or set of twelve things.
a set of twelve items. Often functions as a determiner when followed by a noun.
ExampleShe bought a dozen eggs from the market to bake the cake.
ExampleThe baker prepared half a dozen loaves of sourdough bread before the first customers arrived at the shop.
UsageRemains singular when preceded by a specific number (e.g., 'three dozen').
PitfallI bought two dozens eggs.I bought two dozen eggs.When used with a specific number like 'two' or 'three', 'dozen' stays singular.
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2 many (n.) B1 Intermediatea large but not exact number of people or things.
an indefinite, large number; typically used in the plural to suggest a significant quantity.
ExampleDozens of people waited in line for the new phone to go on sale.
ExampleDozens of protesters gathered outside the embassy, demanding a formal response from the ambassador regarding the new trade policy.
UsageUsed in the plural form 'dozens' followed by 'of'.
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3 the dozens (n.) C2 Proficiency American English Slang Informala game where two people trade insults to see who is funnier or tougher.
a traditional African-American custom of exchanging playful or competitive insults.
ExampleThe two friends were just playing the dozens, so don't take the jokes seriously.
ExampleLinguistic scholars have studied the dozens as a sophisticated form of oral wordplay that influenced modern battle rap.
Teacher's tipThis is a specific cultural term; learners are unlikely to encounter it outside of specific sociological or musical contexts like hip-hop.
From Middle English dozen, dozein, doseyne, from Old French dozaine (“a group of twelve”) (Modern French douzaine), from doze (“twelve”) + -aine (“-ish”), from Latin duodecim (“twelve”) (from duo (“two”) + decem (“ten”)) + -ana (“-ish”).
From a deliberate misspelling of doesn't, originally referring to someone who "dozen sing, dozen rap, dozen do anything."
- Noundozen
- Noundozens