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Synonyms & antonyms

second Synonyms & Antonyms

/ˈsɛk.ənd/

What Is Another Word for Second?

Common synonyms for second are seconder, sec and arcsecond.

Choose a meaning, then find a word that fits your sentence.

Second as an Adjective

1

Number-two; following after the first one with nothing between them. The ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number two.

He lives on Second Street.

2

Next to the first in value, power, excellence, dignity, or rank; secondary; subordinate; inferior.

His job is second priority, because his family is the most important thing in his life.

3

Being of the same kind as one that has preceded; another.

Residents of Texas prepared for Hurricane Harvey, which would in some ways turn out to become the second Hurricane Katrina.

Second as an Adverb

1

After the first; at the second rank.

Saturn is the second largest planet in the solar system.

2

After the first occurrence but before the third.

He is batting second today.

3

(with superlative) After the first; at the second rank.

Saturn is the second largest planet.

Second as a 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

A manufactured item that, though still usable, fails to meet quality control standards.

They were discounted because they contained blemishes, nicks or were otherwise factory seconds.

5

An additional helping of food.

That was good barbecue. I hope I can get seconds.

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 a sixer.

12

A second-class honours degree.

13

A card second from the top of the deck, dealt surreptitiously instead of the actual top card.

14

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.

15

A unit of angle equal to one-sixtieth of a minute of arc or one part in 3600 of a degree.

16

A short, indeterminate amount of time.

I'll be there in a second.

17

One who supports another in a contest or combat, such as a dueller's assistant.

18

One who supports or seconds a motion, or the act itself, as required in certain meetings to pass judgement etc.

If we want the motion to pass, we will need a second.

19

Aid; assistance; help.

20

(usually in the plural) A manufactured item that, though still usable, fails to meet quality control standards.

They were discounted because they contained blemishes, nicks or were otherwise factory seconds.

Synonyms & similar words

21

(usually in the plural) An additional helping of food.

That was good barbecue. I hope I can get seconds.

Synonyms & similar words

22

A Cub Scout appointed to assist the sixer.

Synonyms & similar words

23

One-sixtieth of a minute; the SI unit of time, defined 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.

Synonyms & similar words

secarcsecondsecond of arcWords used as placeholders to count seconds

Second as a Verb

1

(Should we move, merge or split this sense?) To agree as a second person to (a proposal), usually to reach a necessary quorum of two. (See etymology 3 for translations.)

I second the motion.

2

To follow in the next place; to succeed.

3

To climb after a lead climber.

4

To transfer temporarily to alternative employment.

The army officer was seconded while he held civil office.

5

To assist or support; to back.

6

(Should we move, merge or split this sense?) To agree as a second person to (a proposal), usually to reach a necessary quorum of two. (This may come from etymology 1 above.)

I second the motion.

7

To accompany by singing as the second performer.

8

To agree as a second person to (a proposal), usually to reach a necessary quorum of two. (See under #Etymology 3 for translations.)

I second the motion.

9

To agree as a second person to (a proposal), usually to reach a necessary quorum of two. (This may come from the English adjective above.)

I second the motion.

Second in a Sentence

He lives on Second Street.

The second volume in "The Lord of the Rings" series is called "The Two Towers".

He became the second player to hit 50000 runs for his county.

You take the first one, and I'll have the second.

His job is second priority, because his family is the most important thing in his life.

Residents of Texas prepared for Hurricane Harvey, which would in some ways turn out to become the second Hurricane Katrina.

Saturn is the second largest planet in the solar system.

He is batting second today.

They were discounted because they contained blemishes, nicks or were otherwise factory seconds.

That was good barbecue. I hope I can get seconds.

I second the motion.

I'll be there in a second.

The army officer was seconded while he held civil office.

If we want the motion to pass, we will need a second.

Saturn is the second largest planet.

Word Forms & Grammar

second (not comparable)

second (plural seconds)

second (third-person singular simple present seconds, present participle seconding, simple past and past participle seconded)

Words That Rhyme With Second

Origin of Second

Origin 1: 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”)).

Origin 2: From Middle English secunde, seconde, borrowed from Old French seconde, from Medieval Latin secunda, short for secunda pars minuta (“second diminished part (of the hour)”).

Origin 3: From Middle French seconder, from Latin secundō (“assist, make favorable”).

Second in Brief

Part of speechadjective, adverb, noun, verb
Pronunciation/ˈsɛk.ənd/
Syllables2
MeaningNumber-two; following after the first one with nothing between them. The ordinal number corresponding to the…
Synonymsseconder, sec and arcsecond
Pluralseconds
Verb formsseconds, seconding, seconded

How to Pronounce Second

The standard pronunciation of second is /ˈsɛk.ənd/, spoken in 2 syllables, with the main stress on the first syllable (sɛk).

Quick Answers About Second

Is second an adjective or an adverb?

Second is mainly used as an adjective, but it can also be used as an adverb, a noun and a verb.

What is the plural of second?

The plural of second is seconds.

What is the past tense of second?

The past tense of second is seconded. The present participle is seconding.

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