nine-tenths

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English[edit]

Alternative forms[edit]

9/10ths (uncommon)

Etymology[edit]

nine + tenths

Pronunciation[edit]

(Received Pronunciation) enPR: nīn'tĕnthsʹ, IPA^(key): /ˌnʌɪnˈtɛnθs/
(US) enPR: nīn'tĕnthsʹ, IPA^(key): /ˌnaɪnˈtɛnθs/

Noun[edit]

nine-tenths pl (plural only)

(literally) Nine parts out of ten; 90%; 9/10.
(loosely) Almost all; the vast majority.

Derived terms[edit]

possession is nine-tenths of the law

References[edit]

“nine-tenths” listed in the Oxford English Dictionary, second edition (1989)
“nine-tenths, n.” listed in the Oxford English Dictionary (draft revision; Mar. 2010)

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