dozen

Everyday

1. A dozen is twelve: a dozen eggs is 12 eggs. tree →
2. Dozens means a lot, many: «dozens of people». tree →
3. A dozen can also mean twelve strokes of the cane given as a punishment at school. tree →

In the lessons

a group of twelve: «N dozen» is N × 12; eggs, rolls and cookies are often sold by the dozen; «half a dozen» is 6; a «baker's dozen» is 13; phrases: «a dozen», «half a dozen», «dozens of», «by the dozen»

Examples

• Mum buys 3 dozen eggs. tree →
• Mum buys nine and a half dozen eggs. tree →
• A baker made 2 dozen rolls and sold 15. tree →
• A dozen eggs come in one box. tree →
• Half a dozen is six. tree →
• Dozens of birds sat on the wires. tree →
• A baker's dozen is 13, one extra for luck. tree →
• We need two dozen cupcakes for the party. tree →
• I would rather lose a dozen cherry trees than that you should tell one false-hood." tree →

Note

«A dozen is twelve.» «N dozen» is N × 12; «half a dozen» is 6; «N and a half dozen» is N × 12 + 6. After a number, say «3 dozen», not «3 dozens».

Meaning