double digits

Meanings

1. 1phraseplural

   A number from 10 to 99, written with two numerals.

   Grammar: Always plural; use it after 'in the' or 'into the' to talk about a range.

   Patterns

   • in double digits
   • into double digits
   • reach double digits

   The temperature is expected to stay in the double digits all week.

   After the third quarter, the company's profits finally moved into double digits.

   Only a few students scored in the double digits on that difficult test.

2. 2phraseplural

   A percentage or rate of at least 10 but less than 100.

   Grammar: Often used with words like 'growth', 'increase', or 'unemployment' to show a high rate.

   Patterns

   • double-digit growth
   • double-digit inflation
   • double-digit unemployment

   The country experienced double-digit inflation last year.

   The company reported double-digit growth in online sales.

   Unemployment remained in double digits for several months.

Common combinations

double-digit growth

The tech firm announced double-digit growth in its latest earnings report.

double-digit inflation

Shoppers struggled as double-digit inflation pushed up food prices.

double-digit increase

Employees received a double-digit increase in their annual bonus.

reach double digits

The thermometer is expected to reach double digits by noon.

Synonyms and how they differ

two figures

A less common way to say the same thing, often used in British English.

Opposites

Word family

double-digit adjective

Used before a noun to describe something that is in the double digits, e.g., 'double-digit growth'.

Commonly confused: double digits or double figures?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “double digits”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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