Pronunciation: [dˈʌzənz] (IPA) 
The word "dozens" is spelled with the letter "z" instead of an "s" sound because it is a plural noun formed from the singular "dozen." The IPA phonetic transcription of "dozens" is /ˈdʌznz/, where the "z" sound is represented by the letter "z." The sound of the letter "z" is a voiced alveolar fricative, meaning it is made by vibrating the vocal cords while pushing air through a narrow space between the tongue and the roof of the mouth.
Dozens is a noun referring to a numerical term indicating a quantity equal to twelve. It denotes a group or collection composed of twelve elements. The term is derived from the cardinal number twelve, and is extensively used in various contexts to describe a substantial or significant amount, often suggesting a large or considerable number.
In everyday language, dozens commonly implies a multiple of twelve, primarily used to express a numerical estimation when the exact number is not known. It also depicts a quantity that surpasses mere handfuls or several units, signifying abundance or plenty. For instance, a person stating, "I baked dozens of cookies for the party" conveys that a large quantity, likely exceeding twenty-four, was prepared.
Moreover, the concept of dozens expands beyond a simple enumeration, as it can express a degree of competitiveness or comparison. This is evident in expressions like "doing something by the dozen" or "in increasing dozens," both of which emphasize a large number or frequency of occurrence. This usage often implies efficiency, speed, or a routine action carried out in great quantity.
In summary, dozens refers to a quantity equivalent to twelve, typically representing a significant or substantial amount. Whether used to estimate or emphasize a multitude, this term signifies a considerable number or degree in various contexts.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "dozens" originated from the Middle English word "dozen" or "dozein", which can be traced back to the Old French word "dozaine". This term ultimately comes from the Latin word "duodecim", meaning "twelve". In Latin, "duo" means "two" and "decem" means "ten", combining to give the value "twelve". Over time, "dozen" came to represent a group or set of twelve items.
