dozens
|doz-ens|
/ˈdʌzənz/
(dozen)
group of twelve
Etymology
'dozen' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'dozaine' (from 'douze' meaning 'twelve'), ultimately from Latin 'duodecim' where 'duo-' meant 'two' and 'decim' meant 'ten'.
'dozen' changed from Old French 'dozaine' into Middle English forms such as 'dosen' or 'dosene' and eventually became the modern English word 'dozen' (plural 'dozens').
Initially, it meant 'a group of twelve', and that literal meaning remains; over time it also developed a figurative sense meaning 'many' or 'a large unspecified number' (as in 'dozens of').
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
plural of 'dozen': groups of twelve (used when referring to multiple sets of 12).
She bought dozens of eggs for the bakery.
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Noun 2
informal: a large but unspecified number (used similarly to 'many' when followed by 'of').
Dozens of volunteers showed up to help.
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Noun 3
the Dozens: (colloquial, chiefly African American English) a verbal game of exchanging insults, often playfully.
He learned how to play the dozens when he was a teenager.
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Last updated: 2025/09/23 09:14