fifth

A2 · Elementary Countable noun Mathematics

n. one of five equal parts of a whole thing.

n. one of five equal parts into which a whole is or may be divided.

Español:quinto

“He ate a fifth of the cake before anyone else arrived.”

“Approximately one fifth of the local population remains below the poverty line despite recent economic growth.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Music

n. the distance between the first and fifth notes in a musical scale.

n. the interval between a given tone and another tone five scale degrees above it.

“The singer struggled to hit the perfect fifth in the chorus.”

“The composer utilized a series of parallel fifths to create a stark, medieval atmosphere in the opening movement.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Law American English · Informal

n. the right in the US to refuse to answer questions in court to avoid getting in trouble.

n. the Fifth Amendment to the US Constitution, specifically the right against self-incrimination.

“When asked who broke the window, the boy decided to plead the fifth.”

“The witness chose to plead the fifth rather than risk admitting to his involvement in the conspiracy.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun American English · Informal

n. a bottle of strong alcohol that holds about 750 milliliters.

n. a unit of volume for liquor, formerly one-fifth of a US gallon, now standardized as 750 milliliters.

“He bought a fifth of whiskey for the weekend party.”

“The shelf was lined with various fifths of gin and vodka, all imported from small European distilleries.”