fifteenth

1 of 2

adjective

fif·​teenth (ˈ)fif¦tēn(t)th How to pronounce fifteenth (audio)
1
: being number 15 in a countable series
the fifteenth day
see Table of Numbers
2
: being one of 15 equal parts into which something is divisible
a fifteenth share of the money

fifteenth

2 of 2

noun

"
plural fifteenths
-n(t)s
-n(t)ths
1
: number 15 in a countable series
the fifteenth of the month
2
: the quotient of a unit divided by 15 : one of 15 equal parts of something
one fifteenth of the total
3
: a tax of one fifteenth on personal property that formed a part of a grant to the English king from 1272 to 1624
4
a
: a musical interval (see interval sense 2c)embracing a double octave : a musical interval embracing fifteen diatonic degrees
b
: a note fourteen diatonic degrees from another note : a note that is a double octave above or below another note

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English fiftenthe, adjective & noun, alteration (influenced by fiftene) of fiftethe, from Old English fīftēotha (akin to Old Norse fimmtāndi fifteenth, Gothic fimftataihundin, dative singular neuter), from fīftīene, fīftȳne, fīftēne + -otha, -tha -th

Noun

Middle English fiftenthe

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Cite this Entry

“Fifteenth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fifteenth. Accessed 18 Dec. 2025.

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