decimal dozen: meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  widespreadinformalhumorouscolloquial
  • A jocular or informal term for a group or set of ten items, emphasizing base-ten counting in contrast to a traditional dozen of twelve.
  • An expression used playfully to indicate ten units when one might expect or reference a dozen.

  Examples

  Beta

  • The store was selling a decimal dozen of pens, meaning you got ten for a special price.

    The store was selling a decimal dozen of pens, meaning you got ten for a special price.

  • Instead of the usual dozen eggs, they offered a decimal dozen in a carton to appeal to metric system users.

    Instead of the usual dozen eggs, they offered a decimal dozen in a carton to appeal to metric system users.

  • A decimal dozen might confuse some customers who expect twelve items, but it’s just ten in a set.

    A decimal dozen might confuse some customers who expect twelve items, but it’s just ten in a set.

  • Have you ever heard the joke about buying a decimal dozen cookies and expecting a dozen?

    Have you ever heard the joke about buying a decimal dozen cookies and expecting a dozen?