# eighteen

/ˈeɪˈtin/ (US) · /eɪtˈiːn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/eighteen
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. the number 18

numeral · CEFR A1

the number 18.

For teachers: the cardinal number occurring after seventeen and before nineteen.

- There are eighteen students in my English class this morning.
- The research team interviewed eighteen participants over the course of the weekend to ensure a diverse range of perspectives.

### 2. the age of adulthood

noun · CEFR B1

the age when a person is legally considered an adult in many countries.

For teachers: the age of legal majority in many jurisdictions, often associated with the right to vote or purchase alcohol.

- You can apply for a driving license once you turn eighteen.
- Upon reaching the age of eighteen, citizens are granted full legal responsibilities and the right to participate in national elections.

## Examples

- There are eighteen students in my English class.
- You must be eighteen years old to vote in the national election this November.
- The historical archive contains eighteen volumes of handwritten letters that document the daily lives of the city's early settlers during the industrial revolution.

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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.