fifth

noun

ˈfith  ˈfif(t)th 

ˈfift

plural fifths ˈfiths 

ˈfif(t)ths,

ˈfif(t)s

1

: one that is number five in a series

Payment is due on the fifth of the month.

see Table of Numbers

2

: one of five equal parts of something

spent a fifth of their income on rent

3

a

: the musical interval embracing five diatonic degrees

b

: a tone at this interval

specifically : dominant sense 1

c

: the harmonic combination of two tones at this interval

4

: a unit of measure for liquor equal to one fifth of a U.S. gallon (0.757 liter)

5

the Fifth : the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution

also : the right accorded by the Fifth Amendment to refuse to testify against oneself see also plead the Fifth, take the Fifth

fifth adjective or adverb

the fifth annual food festival

She finished fifth in the race.

fifthly adverb

Fourthly, it takes a lot of concrete to make a nuclear power plant. Fifthly, there is no place to put the waste that is safe.

—Victor Odlivak

Examples of fifth in a Sentence

The bill is due on the fifth of each month.

She donated a fifth of her income to charity.

bought a fifth of whiskey

Recent Examples on the Web

Just under half of Republicans and Conservatives feel this is very important compared to about one-fifth of Democrats and Liberals with Independents and Moderates roughly between the two. —Robert G. Eccles, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025

Among 19 players who logged snaps defensively, PFF rated Phillips fifth, Jones 12th, Butler 13th, Sieler 16th and Grant 17th. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025

The board then has 30 days to review, with a four-fifths majority vote needed to dismiss her. —Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 7 Sep. 2025

History of Goudstikker’s collection Between 1933 and 1945, German troops and Nazi agents seized or forced the sale of approximately one-fifth of all Western art that was in existence, totaling nearly 650,000 art pieces, von Saher's attorney said in court records obtained by USA TODAY. —Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English fifte, fifthe, from Old English fīfta, from fīf five

First Known Use

1557, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing fifth

• fifth column
• fifth disease
• fifth wheel
• plead the fifth

Kids Definition

fifth

noun

ˈfith  ˈfif(t)th 

1

: one that is number five in a series see number

2

: the difference in pitch between the first tone and the fifth tone of a scale

fifth adjective or adverb

fifthly adverb