Standard Lemma guide

nine-tenths

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • Received-Pronunciation: nīn'tĕnthsʹ
  • Received-Pronunciation: /ˌnʌɪnˈtɛnθs/
  • US: nīn'tĕnthsʹ
  • US: /ˌnaɪnˈtɛnθs/

1

noun

Meaning 1

Nine parts out of ten; 90%; 9/10.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: literally, plural, plural-only

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

Almost all; the vast majority.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: broadly, plural, plural-only

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

nine + tenths