What does "fifth" mean?

1. (number five in a series) coming after the fourth thing in a list or sequence. 2. (a fraction) one of five equal parts of a whole thing. 3. (musical interval) the distance between the first and fifth notes in a musical scale. 4. (the right to remain silent) the right in the US to refuse to answer questions in court to avoid getting in trouble. 5. (a bottle of alcohol) a bottle of strong alcohol that holds about 750 milliliters.

How do you use "fifth"?

Usually used in the phrase 'plead the fifth'.

fifth

num. · n.

US //ˈfɪfθ// UK //fˈɪfθ// fifth

1 number five in a series (num.)
A1 Beginner

coming after the fourth thing in a list or sequence.

the ordinal number matching the cardinal number five.

Example

This is the fifth time I have tried to call him today.

Example

The fifth chapter of the report provides a detailed analysis of the fiscal year's unexpected losses.
2 a fraction (n.)
A2 Elementary Math

one of five equal parts of a whole thing.

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

Example

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

Example

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

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3 musical interval (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Music

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

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

Example

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

Example

The composer utilized a series of parallel fifths to create a stark, medieval atmosphere in the opening movement.
4 the right to remain silent (n.)
C1 Advanced American English Informal Law

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

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

Example

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

Example

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

Usage

Usually used in the phrase 'plead the fifth'.
5 a bottle of alcohol (n.)
C1 Advanced American English Informal

a bottle of strong alcohol that holds about 750 milliliters.

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

Example

He bought a fifth of whiskey for the weekend party.

Example

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

Origin

PIE word *pénkʷe From Middle English fifthe, fifte, fift, from Old English fīfta (“fifth”), from Proto-Germanic fimftô (“fifth”) or femftô, equivalent to five + -th (ordinal suffix). Cognate with Scots fift, fyft (“fifth”), North Frisian fyfde (“fifth”), West Frisian fyfde (“fifth”), Dutch vijfde (“fifth”), Low German fifte, föfte, füfte (“fifth”), German fünfte (“fifth”), Danish femte (“fifth”), Swedish femte (“fifth”), Icelandic fimmta (“fifth”).

Idioms2 entries