Have you ever written “fourty” and then second-guessed yourself? 🤔 You’re not alone! Many English learners — and even native speakers — often confuse “fourty” and “forty.”
Both look right at first glance, but only one of them is the correct spelling in modern English. The confusion likely comes from the word “four” (which has a “u”), so it feels natural to spell “fourty” the same way.
However, English has its fair share of spelling exceptions — and this is one of them.
In this article, we’ll explain the difference between “fourty” and “forty,” share easy examples, memory tricks, and a little history behind why this word changed. By the end, you’ll never hesitate when writing the number 40 again!
What Does “Forty” Mean?
✅ “Forty” is the correct spelling of the number 40 in both British and American English.
It’s the word form of the number that comes after thirty-nine and before forty-one.
1. Definition
Forty (noun/adjective): The number 40; being four tens.
Examples:
- “She turned forty last week.”
- “There are forty students in the class.”
- “He saved forty dollars.”
🎯 Meaning: Use “forty” when writing out the number in words, whether describing age, quantity, or money.
2. Pronunciation and Grammar
Forty is pronounced:
/ˈfɔːrti/ (British) or /ˈfɔːrdi/ (American)
It can be used as both a noun and an adjective, depending on the context.
Examples:
- Noun: “Forty is my lucky number.”
- Adjective: “He ran forty miles last month.”
What Does “Fourty” Mean?
❌ “Fourty” is not a correct English word.
It’s a common misspelling of “forty” — and while it makes logical sense (since we say four), it’s grammatically and orthographically wrong in modern English.
Why People Confuse It
The confusion comes from English inconsistency.
We spell:
- Four ✅
- Fourteen ✅
- Fourth ✅
- So… Fourty ❌ seems like it should fit the pattern!
But English spelling evolved irregularly, and this particular word took a different path.
The History Behind the Spelling “Forty”
The spelling “forty” dates back to Middle English (around the 13th–14th century).
Originally, it was written as “fourti” or “fowerti.” Over time, pronunciation shifted — the “u” sound was dropped, and writers simplified the spelling to “forty.”
Even though “four” kept its “u,” “forty” lost it for easier pronunciation.
📖 Fun fact:
You’ll still find “fourty” in old English texts, but it’s now considered archaic (no longer used in modern writing).
Key Difference Between “Fourty” and “Forty”
| Aspect | Forty | Fourty |
|---|---|---|
| Correctness | ✅ Correct spelling | ❌ Incorrect spelling |
| Usage | Used in all modern English (US & UK) | Not used — considered an error |
| Meaning | The number 40 | None |
| Origin | Middle English “forti” | Spelling mistake due to “four” |
| Example | “I waited forty minutes.” | “I waited fourty minutes.” ❌ |
🎯 Rule:
Always write “forty” — never “fourty.”
Examples in Sentences
✅ Correct:
- “He’s forty years old.”
- “The team scored forty points.”
- “It took us forty minutes to arrive.”
- “She baked forty cupcakes for the party.”
❌ Incorrect:
- “He’s fourty years old.”
- “The team scored fourty points.”
Even if “fourty” looks logical, it’s grammatically wrong and would be marked incorrect in formal writing or exams.
How to Remember the Correct Spelling
🧠 1. Think of ‘Fort’
The word “forty” starts with “fort,” just like fortress — strong and correct!
“Forty” has a fort inside it — and that’s how you know it’s right. 💪
🧠 2. Forget the “u” after 4️⃣
You only keep the “u” in four — never in forty.
Four → Forty (drop the ‘u’)
🧠 3. Use a rhyme:
“Forty is sporty — Fourty is naughty.” 😄
Real-Life Dialogues
Dialogue 1:
Alex: “Did you know ‘fourty’ is wrong?”
Mia: “Really? But it comes from ‘four’!”
Alex: “Yep — English loves exceptions. It’s always ‘forty.’”
Dialogue 2:
Teacher: “Please write the word form of 40.”
Student: “Fourty?”
Teacher: “Almost! It’s ‘forty’ — no ‘u’ in this one.”
Dialogue 3:
Colleague: “The report says we sold fourty units.”
Editor: “Let’s correct that — it should be ‘forty units.’”
🎯 Lesson: Even small spelling errors can affect professionalism in writing.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| ❌ Incorrect | ✅ Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Fourty | Forty | “Fourty” is a spelling error. |
| Fourty-one | Forty-one | Always spell “forty” without the “u.” |
| Fourty-five | Forty-five | Hyphenation stays the same — spelling doesn’t. |
Usage in Numbers
| Numeral | Word Form |
|---|---|
| 40 | Forty |
| 41 | Forty-one |
| 42 | Forty-two |
| 43 | Forty-three |
| 44 | Forty-four |
| 45 | Forty-five |
| 46 | Forty-six |
| 47 | Forty-seven |
| 48 | Forty-eight |
| 49 | Forty-nine |
Notice how “forty” stays consistent in all number combinations — no “u” anywhere!
Conclusion
The correct spelling of the number 40 is “forty,” not “fourty.”
Although the root word “four” contains a “u,” English spelling doesn’t always follow predictable rules. “Fourty” may seem logical but is grammatically incorrect and not recognized in any major dictionary.
✅ Rule to remember:
“Forty” is always right — “fourty” doesn’t exist.
So next time you write about turning forty or saving forty dollars, skip the “u” and keep your writing accurate, confident, and error-free!
