Language Research

second · ordinal number

/ˈsek.ənd/Full view

second (AFTER FIRST)

A1 immediately after the first and before any others

Dictionary examples:

Is Megan her first or second child?

This is the second time I've had flu this winter.

Jones took second place in the long jump.

I was second in the 100m.

Learner example:

I forgot [to] answer the second question. (Key English Test; A2; Thai)

second (ANOTHER)

B1 another

Dictionary examples:

She is often described as the second Marilyn Monroe.

You really ought to make the most of the opportunity, because you won't get a second chance.

Richard and Liz have a second home in France.

Pay attention to what she's saying because she won't explain it a second time.

Learner example:

I started my new English class last week. I had just finish[ed] my course and that was [a] second chance for me to pick up words so I gave it a go. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Albanian)

second (ONLY ONE BETTER/BIGGER, ETC.)

B1 Second is used to show that only one thing is better, bigger, etc. than the thing mentioned.

Dictionary examples:

St Petersburg is Russia's second (biggest/largest) city.

Iraq's oil reserves are second only to Saudi Arabia's.

The conditions that these prisoners are kept in are second to none.

Learner example:

Joao Pessoa is the second green[est] city in the world. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Portuguese)

second · adverb

/ˈsek.ənd/

second (IN ORDER)

B1 after one other person or thing in order or importance

Dictionary example:

She didn't win the race, but she did come second.

Learner example:

[O]n the other hand, New Zealand came second [for] senior government. (International English Language Testing System; B1; Arabic)

second (IN LIST)

B2 used to talk about the second in a series of things

Dictionary example:

Second, they failed to send written warning.

Learner example:

Second, the pedestrian area in the commercial centre has to grow, wh[ich] would make this part of the town more pleasant for walking and would improve the opportunities [for] the shops. (First Certificate in English; B2; Catalan)

second · noun C

/ˈsek.ənd/

second (PART OF MINUTE)

A2 one of the 60 parts a minute is divided into

Dictionary examples:

There are sixty seconds in a minute.

These computers process millions of instructions per second.

The new system can trace a phone call in a fraction of a second.

Learner example:

I thought the British one, Peter, was going to win, but [in] the last 10 seconds, the Venez[ue]lan won! (Key English Test; A2; Spanish)

second (VERY SHORT PERIOD)

B1 a very short period of time

Dictionary examples:

"Come on, hurry up!" "I'll just/only be a second - I've got to lock the back door."

Have you got a second, Paul? I'd like to have a word with you.

It won't take a second .

Wait a couple of/a few seconds before trying again.

Learner example:

A few seconds later, a huge tree beside my house fell down and destroyed most of my house. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)

second (PRODUCT)

C2 something that is sold cheaply because it is damaged or not in perfect condition

Dictionary example:

Some of those towels are seconds.