dozen

[ duhz-uh n ]

/ ˈdʌz ən /

noun, plural doz·ens, (as after a numeral) doz·en.

a group of 12.

the dozens, Slang. 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 phrase play the dozens).

adjective

twelve.

Content related to dozen

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Words related to dozen

twelve

Words nearby dozen

doyley, doz., doze, doze off, dozed, dozen, dozens, dozenth, dozer, dozy, doña

Origin of dozen

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

Definition for dozens (2 of 2)

dozen²

[ doh-zuh n ]

/ ˈdoʊ zən /

verb (used with object) Scot.

to stun.

Origin of dozen

1325–75; Middle English (Scots); see doze¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for dozens

Within hours, the Indonesian navy said dozens of bodies were being seen.
Wreckage, Bodies of AirAsia Crash Found|Lennox Samuels|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Dozens of tearful family members huddled at the Surabaya and Singapore airports, anxiously awaiting news of loved ones.
The Presumed Crash of AirAsia Flight QZ8501 Is Nothing Like MH370|Lennox Samuels|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Justin gazed out from the dim interior as more than 300 police motorcycles from dozens of jurisdictions rumbled past.
Choking Back Tears, Thousands of Cops Honor Fallen Officer Ramos|Michael Daly|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Emory is also one of dozens of higher education institutions with open Title IX sexual violence investigations.
Fraternities in a Post-UVA World|Samantha Allen|December 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Unfortunately, dozens of pyramids are missing their peaks thanks to an overeager, gold-seeking explorer.
Egypt Ain’t The Only Pyramid Show In Town|Nina Strochlic|December 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There was something in this, for there were hundreds then, where there are now dozens, and it was risky.
Some Reminiscences of old Victoria|Edgar Fawcett
Mamma is like the princess who felt the pea through all the dozens of mattresses, isnt she?
The Dull Miss Archinard|Anne Douglas Sedgwick
Then she will put them together, tie them in dozens, and lay herself down on that bed that contains the two children.
London's Underworld|Thomas Holmes
A soft darkness seemed spread over everything, and by dozens the stars went out.
In Wild Rose Time|Amanda M. Douglas
While she was in London that personal touch could be established with clients by dozens.
This Freedom|A. S. M. Hutchinson

British Dictionary definitions for dozens (1 of 2)

dozens

/ (ˈdʌzənz) /

pl n

(usually foll by of) informal a lotI've got dozens of things to do

British Dictionary definitions for dozens (2 of 2)

dozen

/ (ˈdʌzən) /

determiner

(preceded by a or a numeral)

twelve or a group of twelvea dozen eggs; two dozen oranges
(as pronoun; functioning as sing or plural)give me a dozen; there are at least a dozen who haven't arrived yet

noun plural dozens or dozen

by the dozen in large quantities

See baker's dozen

talk nineteen to the dozen to talk without stopping

Derived forms of dozen

dozenth, adjective

Word Origin for dozen

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with dozens

dozen

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