twenty-year-old

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "twenty-year-old" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone who is 20 years old, often in contexts related to age or demographics. Example: "The twenty-year-old student won the scholarship for her outstanding academic performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Twenty-year-old me thinks, "Dope.

The New Yorker

Twenty-year-old me thinks, "Boo!

The New Yorker

Then his twenty-year-old Firebird died.

The New Yorker

Twenty-year-old me thinks, "Power couple".

The New Yorker

Yasmeen, a twenty-year-old medical student.

The New Yorker

Where are the twenty-year-old Reznors?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Well into his 40th year, older than the referee for Tuesday's match, Carlos Velasco Carballo, van der Sar insists that this is his final season.

The New York Times - Sports

The BIMAs are 23rd years old and are described as "the only significant digital creative awards in the UK which celebrate digital creative excellence and best practice".

TechCrunch

Twenty-year old Jessica Ennis took heptathlon bronze.

The Guardian - Sport

Twenty year-old Layth Hambali is a violinist with the Strings.

Independent

This twenty year old guy.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "twenty-year-old" as an adjective, hyphenate the phrase (e.g., "a twenty-year-old student"). When used as a noun, it's not hyphenated (e.g., "He is twenty years old").

Common error

Avoid hyphenating "twenty year old" when it follows a noun. It should only be hyphenated when it precedes the noun as a compound adjective (e.g., "The student is twenty years old" vs. "The twenty-year-old student").

Linguistic Context

Adjectival modifier. The phrase "twenty-year-old" primarily functions as an adjectival modifier, describing a noun by specifying the age (20 years) of that noun. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "twenty-year-old" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone who is 20 years old. It functions primarily as an adjectival modifier. Ludwig AI's analysis and the numerous examples highlight its prevalence across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. When used as an adjective, remember to hyphenate it (e.g., "a twenty-year-old student"), but not when used as a noun phrase (e.g., "He is twenty years old"). Alternative phrases include "person in their twenties" and "young adult". The phrase maintains a neutral tone, making it suitable for a broad spectrum of writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

20-year-old

Uses numerals instead of spelling out "twenty".

Someone who is twenty years of age

Explicitly states the age of the individual.

Individual aged twenty

More formal phrasing to specify someone's age.

In the early twenties

Specifies someone in the initial years of their twenties.

Person in their twenties

Describes someone within the broader age range of 20-29 years old.

Newly twenty

Emphasizes the recent attainment of the age of twenty.

Young adult

Refers to someone in early adulthood, which typically includes twenty-year-olds.

Twenty something

Informal term for someone in their twenties.

New graduate

Implies someone around twenty who has recently graduated.

Early career professional

Describes someone in their first years of working life, often around twenty.

FAQs

How do I correctly use "twenty-year-old" in a sentence?

"Twenty-year-old" can be used as an adjective before a noun (e.g., "a twenty-year-old student") or as a noun phrase after a linking verb (e.g., "She is twenty years old").

Is it better to write "twenty-year-old" or "20-year-old"?

Both "twenty-year-old" and "20-year-old" are acceptable. "20-year-old" is more common in informal writing, while "twenty-year-old" is preferred in formal contexts.

What are some alternative phrases for "twenty-year-old"?

You can use alternatives like "person in their twenties", "young adult", or "individual aged twenty" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "twenty-year-old" and "in their twenties"?

"Twenty-year-old" refers specifically to someone who is 20 years old. "In their twenties" is a broader term encompassing anyone between the ages of 20 and 29.