sixteen
noun
six·teen ˌsik-ˈstēn 
ˈsiks-ˌtēn
: a number that is one more than 15 see Table of Numbers
sixteen adjective
sixteen pronoun, plural in construction
sixteenth
ˌsik-ˈstēn(t)th
adjective or noun ˈsiks-ˌtēn(t)th
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web In the first season, half-human, half-witch Sabrina Spellman (Kiernan Shipka, Mad Men) turns sweet sixteen (on Halloween, of course). 
Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 27 Jan. 2020 By next year, given current policies and potential future energy-market dynamics, the U.S. will have reduced national greenhouse-gas emissions thirteen-to-sixteen per cent below 2005 levels—not the seventeen per cent that seemed modest back in 2009. Carolyn Kormann, The New Yorker, 11 July 2019 Beneath the game that gives the novel its plot, Raskin built a narrative substructure that consists of the intersecting identity crises experienced by the sixteen—sixteen! Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker, 13 June 2019 The pilot episode opens just before half-human, half-witch Sabrina Spellman (Kiernan Shipka, Mad Men) turns sweet sixteen (on Halloween, of course). Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 18 Dec. 2018 Bocas, founded in Doral in 2014, had to overcome particularly tough matchups, first in the sweet sixteen against the quickly expanding Ceviche 105 and then against longtime Miami favorite Big Cheese to represent the Local Faves region. Carlos Frías, miamiherald, 3 Apr. 2018 Days after Gerber’s sweet sixteen on September 3, the soon-to-be jetsetting model made a trip to the DMV to get her driver’s license. Colleen Kratofil, PEOPLE.com, 9 Oct. 2017 Rob Gronkowski only played eight games, but Kelce—who played all sixteen—averaged more yards per game than New England’s lovable oaf. Clay Skipper, GQ, 7 Sep. 2017 Not for christenings, bar mitzvahs, quinceaneras, sweet sixteens, graduations, engagements, coming out, announcing gender, changing gender, getting a job, losing a job, buying a house, divorcing, retiring or dying. Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2017 See More
Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 27 Jan. 2020 By next year, given current policies and potential future energy-market dynamics, the U.S. will have reduced national greenhouse-gas emissions thirteen-to-sixteen per cent below 2005 levels—not the seventeen per cent that seemed modest back in 2009. Carolyn Kormann, The New Yorker, 11 July 2019 Beneath the game that gives the novel its plot, Raskin built a narrative substructure that consists of the intersecting identity crises experienced by the sixteen—sixteen! Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker, 13 June 2019 The pilot episode opens just before half-human, half-witch Sabrina Spellman (Kiernan Shipka, Mad Men) turns sweet sixteen (on Halloween, of course). Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 18 Dec. 2018 Bocas, founded in Doral in 2014, had to overcome particularly tough matchups, first in the sweet sixteen against the quickly expanding Ceviche 105 and then against longtime Miami favorite Big Cheese to represent the Local Faves region. Carlos Frías, miamiherald, 3 Apr. 2018 Days after Gerber’s sweet sixteen on September 3, the soon-to-be jetsetting model made a trip to the DMV to get her driver’s license. Colleen Kratofil, PEOPLE.com, 9 Oct. 2017 Rob Gronkowski only played eight games, but Kelce—who played all sixteen—averaged more yards per game than New England’s lovable oaf. Clay Skipper, GQ, 7 Sep. 2017 Not for christenings, bar mitzvahs, quinceaneras, sweet sixteens, graduations, engagements, coming out, announcing gender, changing gender, getting a job, losing a job, buying a house, divorcing, retiring or dying. Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2017 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English sixtene, from Old English sixtȳne, adjective, from six six + -tȳne (akin to Old English tīen ten) — more at ten
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
sixteen 1 of 2
adjective
six·teen sik-ˈstēn
: being one more than 15
sixteen
2 of 2noun
: one more than 15 : four times four : 16
- in someone's behalf
- in someone's control
- in someone's debt
- in someone's dreams
- in someone's employ
- in someone's face
- in someone's favor
- in someone's good books
- in someone's good graces
- in someone's honor
- in someone's infinite wisdom
- in someone's keeping
- in someone's light
- in someone's line of sight
- in someone's memory
- in someone's midst
- in someone's name
- in someone's or something's clutches
- in someone's or something's wake
- in someone's pocket
- in someone's power
- in someone's presence
- in someone's reach
- in someone's stead
- in someone's wisdom