five

noun \ ˈfīv \

Definition of five

1 :a number that is one more than four — see Table of Numbers

2 fives plural :a British handball game

3 :the fifth in a set or series

the five of clubs

4 :something having five units or members; especially :a basketball team

5 :a 5-dollar bill

6 :fifteen 2

7 :a gesture in which two people slap each other's extended hands (as in greeting or celebration) —usually used in phrases with give or slap

So I slapped him five and hugged him.
—J. R. Burke

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five

adjective

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five

pronoun, plural in construction

See five defined for English-language learners

See five defined for kids

Examples of five in a Sentence

I get off work at five.
The store is open until five.

Recent Examples of five from the Web

Dave is trying for 25,000 hugs and high fives this summer.

— jim stingl, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Stingl: Big Dave arrives in Milwaukee to hug and high five anyone who will let him," 23 Aug. 2017
The boat erupted in high-fives and backslaps, but Eichorn's eyes instinctively turned to the horizon in search of the school.

— todd masson, NOLA.com, "Hot tarpon fishing like a religious experience for Louisiana anglers," 17 Aug. 2017
Job seekers requiring sponsorship showed fives times the concentration of interest in tech positions compared to the average U.S. job seeker.

— grace donnelly, Fortune, "New Data Shows Foreign Interest in American Jobs May Be Declining Under Trump," 2 Aug. 2017
His teammates joined him on the field to celebrate the special moment, and amid hugs and high-fives that followed, spectators may have noticed a scowl flash for a half-second across Beltre's face.

— bryan flaherty, chicagotribune.com, "Just because Adrian Beltre reached 3,000 hits doesn't mean you can touch his head," 31 July 2017
Clark Wade/IndyStar ORLANDO, Fla. — Myles Turner cheered, stood to applaud and eagerly executed high-fives from the bench Saturday.

— nate taylor, Indianapolis Star, "Myles Turner Q&A: On Paul George being traded, his goal of being a leader and more," 1 July 2017
Clark Wade/IndyStar ORLANDO, Fla. — Myles Turner cheered, stood to applaud and eagerly executed high-fives from the bench Saturday.

— nate taylor, Indianapolis Star, "Myles Turner Q&A: On Paul George being traded, his goal of being a leader and more," 1 July 2017
Wait for the drop while getting soaped up: This party involves fives hours of EDM music, thousands of gallons of foam, flashing lights, and roughly 7,000 people.

— tarpley hitt, Philly.com, "The world's largest foam party and three other things to do down the shore, June 30-July 2," 28 June 2017
Others tweeted photos of Trudeau giving high fives and marching with his family.

— mary bowerman, USA TODAY, "Swoon-worthy photos: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau steals hearts at Toronto's Pride parade," 26 June 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of five

Middle English, from five, adjective, from Old English fīf; akin to Old High German finf five, Latin quinque, Greek pente

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First Known Use: before 12th century

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FIVE Defined for English Language Learners

five

noun

Definition of five for English Language Learners

: the number 5
: the fifth in a set or series
: five o'clock

FIVE Defined for Kids

five

adjective \ ˈfīv \

Definition of five for Students

:being one more than four

five

noun

Definition of five for Students

1 :one more than four :5

2 :the fifth in a set or series

Learn More about five

See words that rhyme with five Spanish Central: Translation of five Nglish: Translation of five for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of five for Arabic speakers

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