umpteen — very many; countless (used to emphasize a large but indefinite number)
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: very many; countless (used to emphasize a large but indefinite number)
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈʌmptiːn/
Example Sentences
- I've watched that movie umpteen times and still cry at the ending.
- My mom has given me umpteen lectures about cleaning my room, but I'm still a slob.
- There are umpteen ways to make pasta, but I always burn it somehow.
umpteen
ADJECTIVE[/ˈʌmptiːn/]
very many; countless (used to emphasize a large but indefinite number)
Umpteen bills everywhere, overwhelming chaos
From thirteen to sixteen, umpteen nights of endless study!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Umpteen originated in early 20th-century British military slang, formed from 'umpty' (a term for the dash sound in Morse code) combined with the numeral suffix '-teen'. The word emerged as an informal expression used when the exact number was difficult to determine, conveying the sense of 'many' or 'numerous'.
Breakdown
umpty (dash in Morse code) + -teen (numeral suffix). The '-teen' suffix, borrowed from cardinal numbers like thirteen and fourteen, transforms umpty into an indefinite quantity marker.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“I've watched that movie umpteen times and still cry at the ending.”
“My mom has given me umpteen lectures about cleaning my room, but I'm still a slob.”
“There are umpteen ways to make pasta, but I always burn it somehow.”
“He's tried umpteen diets but keeps gaining weight because he can't resist pizza.”
📚Related Words
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