# fifth

/ˈfɪfθ/ (US) · /fˈɪfθ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fifth
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. number five in a series

numeral · CEFR A1

coming after the fourth thing in a list or sequence.

For teachers: the ordinal number matching the cardinal number five.

- This is the fifth time I have tried to call him today.
- The fifth chapter of the report provides a detailed analysis of the fiscal year's unexpected losses.

### 2. a fraction

noun · CEFR A2

one of five equal parts of a whole thing.

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

- 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.

### 3. musical interval

noun · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 4. the right to remain silent

noun · CEFR C1 · American English · Informal

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

For teachers: 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.

Usage: Usually used in the phrase 'plead the fifth'.

### 5. a bottle of alcohol

noun · CEFR C1 · American English · Informal

a bottle of strong alcohol that holds about 750 milliliters.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- This is the fifth time I have called you today.
- She finished in fifth place during the race, just missing out on a medal.
- The composer introduced a haunting melody in the fifth measure of the symphony, shifting the mood from triumph to a quiet, reflective melancholy.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.