# dozens

/ˈdəzənz/ (US) · /dˈʌzənz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dozens
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. a large number

noun · CEFR B1

a large but unspecified number of people or things.

For teachers: an indefinite but large quantity; used to emphasize the high volume of something.

- Dozens of people waited in line for the new shop to open.
- Dozens of protesters gathered outside the embassy, demanding a formal response from the ambassador regarding the recent policy changes.

Usage: Always followed by 'of' when used as a quantifier before a noun.

### 2. multiples of twelve

noun · CEFR B1

more than one group of twelve items.

For teachers: the plural form of the cardinal number twelve.

- The baker sold dozens of eggs every single morning.
- The shipment contained several dozens of high-precision components, each individually wrapped to prevent damage during transit.

### 3. insult game

noun · CEFR C2 · American English · Slang · Informal

a game where people trade clever insults to see who is funnier.

For teachers: a ritualised game of verbal sparring, common in some American communities, where participants exchange witty insults.

- The two friends were just playing the dozens and didn't mean any harm.
- The documentary explores the cultural roots of playing the dozens and its influence on modern improvisational comedy and rap battles.

Usage: Usually used with the definite article as 'the dozens' and the verb 'play'.

## Examples

- There are dozens of people waiting in line for the concert.
- The storm caused dozens of trees to fall across the main road, blocking traffic for several hours.
- Despite the complexity of the new software, dozens of independent developers have already created custom plugins to extend its basic functionality.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.