Ninteen vs. Nineteen: Which Is Correct?

"Ninteen" is an incorrect spelling of the word "Nineteen."
"Nineteen" is the written out word for the number 19. It comes after eighteen and before twenty.

For example...

❌ Jenny turned ninteen years old yesterday.

✅ Jenny turned nineteen years old yesterday.

What does "nineteen" mean?

"Nineteen" is the way to write out 19, the number that is one more than 18 and one less than 20. It can be used as a noun to discuss the number itself, or it can be used as an adjective to describe the quantity of something, as in "nineteen students."

Note that depending on the style guide you're following, you should use the numeral 19 in some cases and write out the word "nineteen" in other cases.

The Ngram graph below shows how often "nineteen" and "ninteen" have been used from the 1800s to the 2000s. "Nineteen" peaked in use in the 1910s, and has since decreased in use, while its misspelling "ninteen" has always seen nearly zero use.

How to pronounce "nineteen"

"Nineteen" is pronounced nearly identically in American English and British English, although British English may have a slightly stronger emphasis on the first syllable ("NINE") and a slightly longer "ee" sound at the end.

Phonetic Pronunciation: NINE-teen
NINE: Pronounced like "nine," rhyming with "line."
teen: Pronounced like "teen," rhyming with "seen."

Check out our other related blog posts:
🖊️ Eightteen vs. Eighteen: Which is Correct?
🖊️ Ninty or Ninety: Which Is Correct?

Why would we misspell "nineteen" as "ninteen"?

Eye/Ear Disconnect: English spelling can be inconsistent, and "nineteen" is a prime example. The silent "e" can confuse learners or non-native speakers trying to map sound to letters. They might simply omit the "e" based on how they pronounce it.

Typo/Autocorrect: Typos happen! Mistakes while typing fast or on an unfamiliar keyboard can easily result in dropping the "e" from "nineteen," especially if autocorrect isn't set to recognize the correct spelling.

Other common misspellings of "nineteen"

nineteem
nineteene
nineteon
ninetteen
nine-teen

Example sentences of the misspelling of "nineteen" as "ninteen"

It's crucial to recognize that "ninteen" is not the correct way to spell the number, and using it can lead to misunderstandings in written communication.
When writing about quantities or ages, it's essential to avoid the misspelling "ninteen" and opt for the accurate spelling, "nineteen."
Auto-correct features on devices often highlight "ninteen" as an error, prompting users to choose the correct spelling, "nineteen."
In academic and professional contexts, accuracy in spelling, including avoiding "ninteen," is important for effective communication.
English language guidelines consistently stress that "ninteen" is a misspelling, and individuals should be attentive to using the correct spelling, "nineteen."

Example sentences of "nineteen"

There are nineteen apples in the basket, and we need one more for the recipe.
The school library has nineteen copies of the popular book available for students.
In nineteen days, we will celebrate our anniversary with a special dinner.
The soccer team scored nineteen goals in the championship match.
At nineteen minutes past the hour, the train will depart from platform three.
The hotel room number is nineteen, located on the second floor.
My grandmother shared stories of her life in the early nineteen hundreds.
We planted nineteen sunflowers in the garden, and they bloomed beautifully.
The treasure hunt led us to nineteen different locations around the city.
Nineteen participants completed the challenging obstacle course in record time.

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