40s
Post-thirties, pre-fifties
The 40s refers to a decade—the 1940s, 1840s, or whichever century context makes clear: Big band music defined the 40s.
It also names the years of a person's life between forty and forty-nine: She started running marathons in her 40s.
In temperature, the 40s span forty to forty-nine degrees.
Among drinkers, a 40 is a forty-ounce bottle of malt liquor, making 40s the plural: They were drinking 40s on the stoop.
1939-45 global conflict
- blitzSwift, overwhelming offensive
- AlliesWWII's victorious coalition
- AxisWartime fascist alliance
- D-Day1944 Normandy invasion
air-raid · propaganda · resistance · occupation · evacuation · conscription · paratroops · bunker
In life's middle decades
- midlifeHalfway through adulthood
- fortiesNumbers between 39-50
- forty-somethingIn one's fifth decade
- primeReadying for action
After hostilities end
- rationingLimiting distribution during scarcity
- LevittownPlanned suburban community, postwar
- polaroidSelf-developing photograph
- transistorSemiconductor signal switch
suburbanization · demobilization · McCarthyism · desegregation
Fast, complex jazz style
- bopQuick light punch
- improvisationSpontaneous, unplanned creation
- syncopationStressed unexpected beats
Evoking recent past
- classicOf lasting excellence
- antiqueOld valued collectible
- nostalgiaLonging for the past
- collectibleObject worth amassing
patina · restoration · heritage · memorabilia · old-fashioned · Bakelite · mid-century · pinup
Partnered swing dance
- jitterbugEnergetic swing-era partner dance
- boogie-woogieDriving bass, freewheeling treble
- shagLong-napped rug type
- CharlestonSouthern Atlantic port city
WWII
1939-45 global conflict
D-Day · air-raid · propaganda · resistance · occupation · evacuation · conscription · paratroops · bunker · morale
middle-aged
In life's middle decades
- midlifeHalfway through adulthood
- fortiesNumbers between 39-50
- forty-somethingIn one's fifth decade
prime · maturity · settled · established · experienced
postwar
After hostilities end
- rationingLimiting distribution during scarcity
- LevittownPlanned suburban community, postwar
- polaroidSelf-developing photograph
transistor · suburbanization · demobilization · McCarthyism · desegregation
bebop
Fast, complex jazz style
- bopQuick light punch
- improvisationSpontaneous, unplanned creation
- syncopationStressed unexpected beats
retro
Evoking recent past
collectible · patina · restoration · heritage · memorabilia · old-fashioned · Bakelite · mid-century · pinup · fedora
lindy-hop
Partnered swing dance
- jitterbugEnergetic swing-era partner dance
- boogie-woogieDriving bass, freewheeling treble
- shagLong-napped rug type
40s2020s
Third decade, 21st century
2010s · 90s · 80s · 60s · modern era
40sinfancy
Earliest period of life
teens · childhood · youth · adolescence · toddlerhood
- top 40sRanked popular songs