dozen

¹

[duhz-uhn]

noun

plural

dozens ,

plural

dozen .

1. a group of 12.

2. Slang.,  the dozens, a ritualized game typically engaged in by two persons each of whom attempts to outdo the other in insults directed against members of the other's family (usually used in the phraseplay the dozens ).

adjective

1. twelve.

dozen

²

[doh-zuhn]

verb (used with object)

Scot.

1. to stun.

dozen

/ ˈdʌzən /

determiner

1. 1. twelve or a group of twelve

      a dozen eggs

      two dozen oranges

   2. ( as pronoun; functioning as sing or plural )

      give me a dozen

      there are at least a dozen who haven't arrived yet

noun

1. in large quantities

2. See baker's dozen

3. to talk without stopping

Other Word Forms

• dozenth adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dozen¹

1250–1300; Middle English dozeine < Old French do ( u ) zaine, equivalent to do ( u ) ze (< Latin duodecim ) + -aine (< Latin -āna ) -an

Origin of dozen²

1325–75; Middle English (Scots); doze ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of dozen¹

C13: from Old French douzaine, from douze twelve, from Latin duodecim, from duo two + decem ten

Idioms and Phrases

see baker's dozen; by the dozen; daily dozen; dime a dozen; six of one, half dozen of the other.

Example Sentences

The photos show that dozens of buildings in the city were levelled between August and September.

From BBC

He came to Georgia Southern after a dozen seasons at USC, where he started first as quarterbacks coach, then offensive coordinator and finally the head coach.

From Los Angeles Times

The youngest of those players is 52 and has hasn’t played for a dozen seasons, giving the whole tableau the feel of a tattered and worn museum exhibition.

From Los Angeles Times

Video from the scene showed dozens of postal service workers standing in the parking lot.

From Los Angeles Times

In recent years, civic groups have accused police of dozens of extrajudicial killings and torture.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• twelve