second

Meaning

Adj

1. (not-comparable) Number-two; following after the first one with nothing between them. The ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number two.
2. (not-comparable) Next to the first in value, power, excellence, dignity, or rank; secondary; subordinate; inferior.
3. (not-comparable) Being of the same kind as one that has preceded; another.

Adv

1. (not-comparable) After the first; at the second rank.
2. (not-comparable) After the first occurrence but before the third.

Noun

1. Something that is number two in a series.
2. Something that is next in rank, quality, precedence, position, status, or authority.
3. The place that is next below or after first in a race or contest.
4. (plural-normally) A manufactured item that, though still usable, fails to meet quality control standards.
5. (plural-normally) An additional helping of food.
6. A chance or attempt to achieve what should have been done the first time, usually indicating success this time around. (See second-guess.)
7. The interval between two adjacent notes in a diatonic scale (either or both of them may be raised or lowered from the basic scale via any type of accidental).
8. The second gear of an engine.
9. Second base.
10. The agent of a party to an honour dispute whose role was to try to resolve the dispute or to make the necessary arrangements for a duel.
11. A Cub Scout appointed to assist the sixer.
12. (informal) A second-class honours degree.

Verb

1. (transitive) To agree as a second person to (a proposal), usually to reach a necessary quorum of two. (See etymology 3 for translations.)
2. To follow in the next place; to succeed.
3. To climb after a lead climber.

Noun

1. A unit of time historically and commonly defined as a sixtieth of a minute which the International System of Units more precisely defines as the duration of 9,192,631,770 periods of radiation corresponding to the transition between two hyperfine levels of caesium-133 in a ground state at a temperature of absolute zero and at rest.
2. A unit of angle equal to one-sixtieth of a minute of arc or one part in 3600 of a degree.
3. (informal) A short, indeterminate amount of time.

Verb

1. (UK, transitive) To transfer temporarily to alternative employment.
2. (transitive) To assist or support; to back.
3. (transitive) To agree as a second person to (a proposal), usually to reach a necessary quorum of two. (This may come from etymology 1 above.)
4. (transitive) To accompany by singing as the second performer.

Noun

1. One who supports another in a contest or combat, such as a dueller's assistant.
2. One who supports or seconds a motion, or the act itself, as required in certain meetings to pass judgement etc.
3. (obsolete) Aid; assistance; help.

Synonyms

moment

instant

support

back

🔙

minute

next

endorse

another

other

assistant

helper

secondly

arcsecond

second base

runner-up

uphold

time

⌚

jiffy

inferior

indorse

jiff

back up

sec

bit

2nd

s

sustain

assist

second gear

prop

number two

maintain

stand by

supporter

twinkling

espouse

endorsement

epoch

indorsement

secondment

different

bolster

countenance

sponsor

underpin

rest

secondary

recurring

reinforce

patronage

Translations

segundo

seconde

secondo

2nd

deuxième

2nd

Sekunde

segundo

segon

2nd

second

2nd

seconde

zweite

2nd

tweede

δευτερόλεπτο

saniye

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈsɛkənd/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: secunde

In summary

From Middle English secunde, second, secound, secund, borrowed from Old French second, seond, from Latin secundus (“following, next in order”), from root of sequor (“I 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”)).

Sentences

The second plane was flown many times by himself and others .

If the second couple declined , the third couple was asked .

The second launch in November ended with a failure during second stage burn .

He was designated for assignment for the second time the next day .

For the second time in history , Chile won the trophy .

At the time the vineyard was the second largest in New South Wales .