Added 6 October 2026

second

/ˈsɛk.ənd/ adjective

In Latin: secundus, alter Wiktionary

adjective Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about second at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Number-two; following after the first one with nothing between them. The ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number two.
He lives on Second Street.
Next to the first in value, power, excellence, dignity, or rank; secondary; subordinate; inferior.
His job is second priority, because his family is the most important thing in his life.
Being of the same kind as one that has preceded; another.
Residents of Texas prepared for Hurricane Harvey, which would in some ways turn out to become the second Hurricane Katrina.

After the first; at the second rank.
Saturn is the second largest planet in the solar system.
After the first occurrence but before the third.
He is batting second today.

Something that is number two in a series.
Something that is next in rank, quality, precedence, position, status, or authority.
The place that is next below or after first in a race or contest.

From Middle English secunde, second, secound, secund, borrowed from Old French second, seond, from Latin secundus (“following, next in order”), from root of sequor (“to follow”), from Proto-Indo-European *sekʷ- (“to follow”). Doublet of secund and secundo. Displaced native twoth and partially displaced native other (from Old English ōþer (“other; next; second”)).