# ten

/ˈtɛn/ (US) · /tˈɛn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ten
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. the number 10

numeral · CEFR A1

the number that comes after nine and before eleven.

For teachers: the cardinal number between nine and eleven, represented by the Arabic numeral 10.

- There are ten students in the small language class.
- The decimal system is based on the number ten, which serves as the foundation for most modern mathematical calculations and measurements.

### 2. money or cards

noun · CEFR B1

a banknote or a playing card with the value of ten.

For teachers: a denomination of currency or a playing card with a face value of ten units.

- He paid for the coffee with a ten and waited for his change.
- She was dealt a ten of hearts, which completed her straight and secured her victory in the final round of the game.

### 3. a perfect person

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang · American English

a person who is extremely attractive or perfect in some way.

For teachers: a person perceived as being of the highest possible quality, specifically regarding physical attractiveness on a scale of one to ten.

- Everyone at the party agreed that the new lead singer was a total ten.
- While the rating system is highly subjective, in the world of fashion modeling, she is considered a solid ten by almost every agency.

### 4. rowing

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a short period of rowing as hard as possible for ten strokes.

For teachers: a burst of ten powerful, high-intensity strokes intended to increase the boat's speed during a race.

- The coxswain called for a ten to pull ahead of the other boat.
- Exhausted but determined, the crew responded to the call for a power ten, digging their oars deep into the water for the final sprint.

## Examples

- I have ten fingers.
- The meeting starts at ten o'clock sharp, so please arrive a few minutes early.
- The decimal system, which underpins modern mathematics and commerce, is structured around powers of ten, likely due to the anatomical convenience of human digits.

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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.