fifth
Noun pluralfifths
Pluralfifths
Formsfifths, fifthing, fifthed
- 1Number five in order, coming right after the fourth.
Her classroom is on the fifth floor of the school.
He was the fifth person to arrive at the party.
UsageSpelled fifth (not
incorrect: fiveth). Say the fifth floor, but you finish fifth in a race. - 2The one who comes in place number five in a line or list.
Four kids got on the bus, and Maria was the fifth.
Out of the six puppies, the fifth was the smallest.
UsageSay the fifth when people know what you are counting.
- 3One of five equal parts that something is split into.
Like one slice when a pie is cut into five equal slices.
He ate a fifth of the pizza and saved the rest.
Cut the ribbon into fifths so everyone gets a piece.
UsageSay a fifth of the cake, or two fifths.
Less common meanings
- 4Short for the part of the US Constitution that lets you refuse to answer questions that could show you broke the law.
When the lawyer asked about the money, the witness pleaded the Fifth.
"Did you eat the last cookie?" "I'll take the Fifth on that one."
UsageSay take the Fifth or plead the Fifth. People also say it as a joke to avoid a question.
- 5A common size of bottle for strong drinks in the United States, holding 750 milliliters.
Dad bought a fifth of whiskey for the holiday dinner.
The store had fifths of rum on sale near the register.
UsageSay a fifth of whiskey or vodka.
Note
- 6In music, the distance from one note to the fifth note of the scale, counting the first, like C to G.
Like the jump between the first two different notes in 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.'
Counting both notes, the step from C up to G is a fifth.
The tune leaps up a fifth on the second word of the song.
UsageSay two notes are a fifth apart.
Note
- 7The car gear that comes after fourth, used for fast, steady driving.
Dad shifted the car into fifth on the highway.
Put it in fifth once you reach highway speed.
UsageSay in fifth or into fifth, like in first.
- 8To say you support an idea right after four other people have supported it.
"I fifth that plan!" Jamal called out from the back seat.
After her four friends agreed, Lily fifthed the idea of walking to school.
UsageA joke like I second that: the fifth person to agree says I fifth it.
Oppositeoppose
Note
- 9In music for several voices, the singing part that is number five.
- 10To divide a number or an amount by five.
- 11In old church music, to make up a second singing part above a tune, mostly a fifth higher.
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
From Old English "fīfta," made from "five" plus the ending "-th" used for ordinal numbers.
Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
- Fifth descends from Old English fīfta. en.wiktionary.org
- The word has the formation five plus the ordinal suffix -th. en.wiktionary.org