60s
|six-ties|
🇺🇸
/ˈsɪkstiːz/
🇬🇧
/ˈsɪkstɪz/
(sixties)
the 1960s (decade) / ages 60–69
Etymology
'60s' originates from the modern written convention of using Arabic numerals plus the English plural marker '-s' to abbreviate 'sixties' (meaning the years 1960–1969).
'Sixties' derives from 'sixty' + plural '-s'. 'Sixty' comes from Old English 'sixtig', itself from Proto-Germanic elements meaning 'six' + 'ten' (cf. Old High German 'sehszig'). The written short form '60s' is a later, typographic abbreviation using Arabic numerals.
Initially, 'sixty' meant 'six tens' as a numeric value; over time, the plural form 'sixties' began to refer not only to the number but also to the decade 1960–1969 and to the age range 60–69. The notation '60s' is a modern graphic abbreviation of that plural.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the decade from 1960 to 1969, especially when referring to its culture, events, fashions, or social movements (e.g., 'the 60s' meaning 'the 1960s').
Music from the 60s changed popular culture around the world.
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Noun 2
an age range from 60 to 69 years (used in expressions like 'in his 60s').
She's in her 60s but still very active.
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Idioms
Last updated: 2025/09/23 11:14