Dozen Definition: What Does a Dozen Mean?

Meaning 1：a group of twelve (dozen)

dozen 🔊

/ˈdʌz.ən/

It's a word that means a group of exactly twelve things.

Dozen eggs in a carton showing twelve eggs

a group of twelve 🔊

➕

/eɪ ɡruːp əv twɛlv/

A dozen refers to a specific quantity of twelve items, commonly used in counting eggs, roses, or baked goods.

📁 Category：Diet & Health 🔖 Level：Elementary

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old French 'dozeine', from Latin 'duodecim' (twelve).

💡 Mnemonic

Think of a dozen eggs: 12 eggs in a carton. The 'doz' sounds like 'dose' – a dose of twelve.

📖 Example

I need to buy a dozen eggs for baking the cake this weekend. 🔊 I need to purchase twelve eggs for baking a cake this weekend.

🔗 Collocations

a dozen eggs – twelve eggs, commonly sold in a carton

a dozen roses – a bouquet of twelve roses, a traditional gift

half a dozen – six items, half of a dozen

🔄 Synonyms

twelve (num.) – the equivalent number of items, though not specifically grouped

baker's dozen (n.) – a group of thirteen, historically from bakers giving an extra one

🌱 Derivatives

dozenth (adj.) – relating to the twelfth in a series

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Old French 'dozeine' (from Latin 'duodecim'), 'dozen' has been used since the 13th century for groups of twelve, especially in trade and cooking.