fifteenth: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral
Quick answer
What does “fifteenth” mean?
Constituting number fifteen in a sequence.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Constituting number fifteen in a sequence; the position following the fourteenth.
One of fifteen equal parts of a whole (1/15). The 15th day of a month. In music: an interval of two octaves; an organ stop sounding two octaves above the principal.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning or usage. Potential minor spelling variations in compound derivatives (e.g., fifteenth-century vs. fifteenth century).
Connotations
Identical.
Frequency
Identical frequency as a basic ordinal number.
Grammar
How to Use “fifteenth” in a Sentence
the fifteenth + [singular countable noun] (the fifteenth floor)on + the + fifteenth (on the fifteenth of July)a + fifteenth + of (a fifteenth of the total)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “fifteenth” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- Her fifteenth birthday party was held at a fancy restaurant.
American English
- We studied the Fifteenth Amendment in history class.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Referring to dates for invoices, reports, or deadlines (e.g., 'Payment is due on the fifteenth').
Academic
Referring to centuries, editions, or sequences in lists/chapters.
Everyday
Most commonly used for birthdays, anniversaries, and calendar dates.
Technical
In music theory, denoting a double-octave interval or organ stop.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “fifteenth”
- Misspelling as 'fiftheenth' or 'fiveteenth'.
- Incorrect pronunciation, omitting the second 'f' (/ˈfɪftinθ/).
- Using with plural noun incorrectly: 'the fifteenth days' instead of 'the fifteenth day'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is always 'fifteenth', derived from 'fifteen'. 'Fiveteenth' is incorrect.
Pronounce it as /tiːnθ/. Ensure you say the /n/ before the /θ/ (as in 'thin').
Yes, it can be a noun meaning 1) one of fifteen equal parts (a fifteenth), 2) the fifteenth day of the month, or 3) a musical interval.
'Fifteen' is a cardinal number (15). 'Fifteenth' is an ordinal number (15th), indicating position or sequence, or a fraction (1/15).
Constituting number fifteen in a sequence.
Fifteenth is usually neutral in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Fifteenth of the month (referring to a typical payday or bill date)”
- “The fifteenth wheel (humorous extension of 'third wheel', denoting extreme superfluousness).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'fifteen' and just add a 'th' sound. Remember it has two 'f's and two 'e's: FiFteenTh.
Conceptual Metaphor
SEQUENCE IS POSITION ON A PATH (the fifteenth step).
Practice
Quiz
In the phrase 'a fifteenth of the revenue', what part of speech is 'fifteenth'?