# seven

/ˈsɛvən/ (US) · /sˈɛvən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/seven
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Senses

### 1. the number 7

numeral · CEFR A1

the number 7.

For teachers: the cardinal number between six and eight.

- There are seven days in a week, starting with Monday.
- The team consists of seven specialists, each responsible for a different stage of the manufacturing process.

### 2. the figure or digit

noun · CEFR A2

the written symbol 7.

For teachers: the graphic symbol or digit representing the number seven.

- The lucky number on his jersey was a large red seven.
- The accountant noted that the handwritten seven looked remarkably like a one, leading to a significant error in the final tally.

### 3. playing cards

noun · CEFR B1

a playing card with seven symbols on it.

For teachers: a playing card in a standard deck bearing seven pips.

- He needed a seven of hearts to win the card game.
- She discarded a seven, hoping her opponent wasn't collecting that particular rank for a sequence.

### 4. soft drink

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang

a short name for the lemon-lime soda 7 Up.

For teachers: a colloquial shortening for the carbonated soft drink brand 7 Up.

- I'll have a burger and a large seven with no ice, please.
- The waiter returned with a seven, though the customer had technically asked for a generic lemon-lime soda.

Teaching tip: This usage is highly informal and specific to certain regions; most speakers will simply say the full brand name.

## Examples

- There are seven days in a week.
- The restaurant is fully booked for a party of seven at eight o'clock tonight.
- The ancient world celebrated seven wonders, a list of remarkable constructions that demonstrated the architectural prowess and cultural reach of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern civilisations.

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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.