Second Meaning
/ˈsɛk.ənd/Definition, CEFR level A1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjNumber-two; following after the first one with nothing between them. The ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number two.
adjNext to the first in value, power, excellence, dignity, or rank; secondary; subordinate; inferior.
Sentence Examples
Everyone deserves a second chance.
In general, little is known about nonlinear second order differential equations.
She came second in the marathon.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The camera shutter was open for only a tiny fraction of a ____.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She finished in ____ place in the race, just a fraction behind the winner.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English secunde, second, secound, secund, borrowed from Old French second, seond, from Latin secundus (“following, next in order”), from root of sequor (“to follow”), from Proto-Indo-European *sekʷ- (“to follow”). Doublet of secund and secundo. Displaced native twoth and partially displaced native other (from Old English ōþer (“other; next; second”)).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The story struck the depressingly familiar note with which true stories ring in the tried ears of experienced policemen.[…]The second note, the high alarum, not so familiar and always important since it indicates the paramount sin in Man's private calendar, took most of them by surprise although they had been well prepared."
— 1963, Margery Allingham, “Eye Witness”, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC, page 249:
"Malay is the lingua franca of several Southeast Asia countries and has been simplified by its use as a second language by non-native speakers.
For example, the Malay plural is formed by repeating a word twice – buku means book and buku-buku means books."
— 2021 April 25, John Malathronas, “Which languages are easiest – and most difficult – for native English speakers to learn?”, in CNN, archived from the original on 22 Mar 2022:
"Consequently, in the initial position the white pieces and pawns are placed on the first and second ranks; the black pieces and pawns on the eighth and seventh ranks."
— 2022, “2023 Laws of Chess”, in FIDE, archived from the original on 16 Mar 2025, page 21:
"May the day when we become the second people upon earth […] be the day of our utter extirpation!"
— 1824, Walter Savage Landor, “Conversation I. Richard I and the Abbot of Boxley.”, in Imaginary Conversations of Literary Men and Statesmen, volume I, London: […] Taylor and Hessey, […], →OCLC, page 6:
"A Daniel ſtill ſay I, a ſecond Daniel,[…]"
— c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene i], page 180, column 2:
Explore More A1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The camera shutter was open for only a tiny fraction of a ____.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She finished in ____ place in the race, just a fraction behind the winner.