nine-tenths

== English == === Alternative forms === 9/10ths (uncommon) === Etymology === nine + tenths === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) enPR: nīn'tĕnthsʹ, IPA(key): /ˌnʌɪnˈtɛnθs/ (US) enPR: nīn'tĕnthsʹ, IPA(key): /ˌnaɪnˈtɛnθs/ === Noun === nine-tenths pl (plural only) (literally) Nine parts out of ten; 90%; 9/10. (loosely) Almost all; the vast majority. ==== Derived terms ==== possession is nine-tenths of the law === References === “nine-tenths” listed in the Oxford English Dictionary, second edition (1989) “nine-tenths, n.” listed in the Oxford English Dictionary (draft revision; Mar. 2010)