WordGarden.iodozen
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /dˈʌzən/
US
- /ˈdəzən/
Meanings
Noun
a group or count of twelve
Beyond the definition
A "dozen" simply means twelve. People often use it when they talk about things counted or sold in groups, especially everyday items like eggs, roses, cookies, or donuts. Instead of saying "12 eggs," many people naturally say "a dozen eggs."
You can have a dozen roses, a dozen cookies, or even a dozen problems. It is most often used for exact counting, as in "She bought two dozen eggs" or "I got half a dozen donuts." Sometimes it is also used more loosely. If someone says, "I have a dozen things to do," they may just mean they have a lot, not exactly twelve.
The word "dozen" refers to a group of twelve. It is a common counting word in English and is especially useful for things that are often sold or arranged in groups, such as eggs, bagels, flowers, and pastries. Because twelve can be divided evenly in several ways, groups of twelve have been practical in trade for a long time, which helped make the word common.
It often appears in everyday phrases like "a dozen eggs," "two dozen roses," or "half a dozen cookies." In these examples, the number is exact. But the word can also be used in a less exact, more conversational way. If someone says they have "a dozen reasons" or have heard something "dozens of times," the idea is often simply that the number is large.
There are also larger counting terms built from it. A "gross" means twelve dozen, or 144. That term is much less common now, but it shows how useful this counting system once was in business and trade. The word came into English through Old French and has been part of everyday language for centuries. Today, it still feels natural and familiar, whether you are buying a dozen donuts or talking about a dozen small problems.
Examples
- 1
Shopping
I bought a dozen eggs on the way home.
- 2
Flower order
The florist delivered two dozen roses that morning.
- 3
Selling quantity
The bakery sells cookies by the dozen.
- Phraseby the dozen
in groups of twelve
- 4
Repeated action
She has called me a dozen times this week.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Small number
Half a dozen students stayed after class to ask questions.
- 6
Large crowd
Dozens of people were waiting outside the stadium.
- 7
Common things
Cheap souvenirs like that are a dime a dozen here.
- Phrasea dime a dozen
very common and not special
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- dozennounadjective
Forms
- dozenspluralnounadjective