This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
ordinal
1[ awr-dn-uhl ]
/ ˈɔr dn əl /
Save This Word!
This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
adjective
of or relating to an order, as of animals or plants.
of or relating to order, rank, or position in a series.
noun
an ordinal number or numeral.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
Origin of ordinal
1OTHER WORDS FROM ordinal
or·di·nal·ly, adverbWords nearby ordinal
Other definitions for ordinal (2 of 2)
ordinal2
[ awr-dn-uhl ]
/ ˈɔr dn əl /
noun
a directory of ecclesiastical services.
a book containing the forms for the ordination of priests, consecration of bishops, etc.
Origin of ordinal
21350–1400; Middle English <Medieval Latin ōrdināle, noun use of neuter of ōrdinālis in order. See ordinal1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use ordinal in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for ordinal
ordinal
/ (ˈɔːdɪnəl) /
adjective
denoting a certain position in a sequence of numbers
of, relating to, or characteristic of an order in biological classification
noun
short for ordinal number
a book containing the forms of services for the ordination of ministers
RC Church a service book
Word Origin for ordinal
C14: (in the sense: orderly): from Late Latin ordinalis denoting order or place in a series, from Latin ordō order
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