B1noun2K

Decade

UK //ˈdɛkeɪd//US //ˈdɛkeɪd//

Definition

A period of ten consecutive years.

In simple words: A period of ten years.

Examples

  • The last decade has seen significant technological advancements.
  • Many popular movies were released in the last decade.
  • The 1980s was a vibrant decade for fashion and music.
  • We are now entering a new decade full of possibilities.
  • This decade is expected to focus more on sustainability.

Usage notes

Use 'decade' to refer to any ten-year period, often specified by the year it starts (e.g., 'the 1990s'). It's appropriate in both formal and informal contexts.

Grammar pattern

countable noun

Memory hint

Think of 'decade' as ten 'dimes' - each dime equals one year!

Collocations

  • rise in the decade
  • decade of change
  • last decade

Synonyms

  • ten years
  • decadal period
  • 10-year span

Antonyms

  • century
  • year

Common mistakes

  • Confusing 'decade' with 'century', which is 100 years.
  • Using 'decade' in plural form without adding 's', e.g., 'decades' instead of 'decade'
  • Not capitalizing the year when referring to a specific decade, like 'the 80s'