fifth

play

noun \ ˈfith , ˈfif(t)th , ˈfift \

Definition of fifth

plural fifths play \ˈfiths, ˈfif(t)ths, ˈfif(t)s\

1 :one that is number five in a series — see Table of Numbers

2 a :the musical interval embracing five diatonic degrees

b :a tone at this interval; specifically :dominant 1

c :the harmonic combination of two tones at this interval

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

4 capitalized :the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution; also :the right accorded by the Fifth Amendment to refuse to testify against oneself —usually used in the phrase take the Fifth

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fifth

adjective or adverb

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fifthly

adverb

See fifth defined for English-language learners

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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 of fifth from the Web

The three-fifths clause is relevant, but in exactly the opposite of the manner Peterson describes.

— jonathan chait, Daily Intelligencer, "Republicans Confuse the Electoral College With ‘the American People’," 29 Aug. 2017
Ten remaining games against the Indians — that's more than one fifth of the remaining schedule for both teams — will go a long way.

— sam mellinger, kansascity, "Scuffling Royals remain in playoff race. Thanks, Bud Selig!," 12 Aug. 2017
Its share price has lost a fifth of its value in 2017 and is now $34.91.

— elizabeth paton and chad bray, New York Times, "Michael Kors to Buy Jimmy Choo in $1.2 Billion Deal," 25 July 2017
No volunteers or staffers were visible inside its main entrance and fewer than a fifth of its 70 acute-care beds were being used.

— phil galewitz, Kaiser Health News, "In Appalachia, Two Hospital Giants Seek State-Sanctioned Monopoly," 24 July 2017
Its findings are anxiously awaited in a country with one of the world’s highest rates of cerebrovascular disease — a clear contributor to dementia rates — and a population one-fifth of whom will be 65 or older by 2030.

— melissa healy, latimes.com, "Drugs are a bust, so U.S. researchers are trying a series of life hacks to try to ward off dementia," 19 July 2017
Three-fifths of men between the ages of 25 and 35 remain unmarried.

— The Economist, "BanyanNo one is well-served by sexism in Japan," 13 July 2017
And as Business of Fashion recently reported, nearly one fifth of supplement users in the U.S. swallow their daily dose specifically to benefit their skin, hair, and nails.

— jolene edgar, Allure, "BeautyMe Beauty Supplements Promise Better Skin While On Your Period," 11 July 2017
Overrides are extremely rare because support from three-fifths of lawmakers in both chambers is needed.

— cincinnati enquirer, Cincinnati.com, "John Kasich scores another victory over GOP on Medicaid," 6 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fifth.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of fifth

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

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FIFTH Defined for English Language Learners

fifth

play

noun

Definition of fifth for English Language Learners

: number five in a series
: one of five equal parts of something
: a unit of measure for alcoholic liquor that is equal to one fifth of a U.S. gallon (approximately 750 ml); also : a bottle that holds this amount of liquor