fifth position: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal / Technical
Quick answer
What does “fifth position” mean?
A fundamental stance in classical ballet where the feet are placed turned out, one directly in front of the other, with the heel of the front foot touching the toe of the back foot.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A fundamental stance in classical ballet where the feet are placed turned out, one directly in front of the other, with the heel of the front foot touching the toe of the back foot.
A term used in various fields to denote the fifth place in a sequence, order, or ranking. In music, it can refer to the interval of a perfect fifth or the fifth chord in a scale. In military contexts, it can refer to a specific formation or stance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Pronunciation of 'fifth' may show more frequent elision of the second 'f' in casual American speech.
Connotations
In both varieties, the ballet term carries connotations of discipline, tradition, and classical art. The general numerical meaning is neutral.
Frequency
Substantially more frequent in contexts related to dance, music, and rankings in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “fifth position” in a Sentence
[Subject] + assume/take/hold + fifth position[Subject] + move from X to fifth position[Subject] + be + in fifth positionfifth position + of + [Noun Phrase]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “fifth position” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The dancer will fifth-position herself before the pirouette. (Rare/Non-standard)
American English
- She fifths into position for the grand plié. (Rare/Non-standard)
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverbial use]
American English
- [No standard adverbial use]
adjective
British English
- The fifth-position placement was judged impeccable.
American English
- Her fifth-position stance was textbook perfect.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The company finished in fifth position in the market share rankings this quarter.
Academic
The study's hypothesis was ranked in fifth position of importance by the peer reviewers.
Everyday
After the final race, she was thrilled to have achieved fifth position overall.
Technical
The dancer must maintain turnout and alignment while transitioning through fifth position.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “fifth position”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “fifth position”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “fifth position”
- Pronouncing both 'f's in 'fifth' too strongly can sound unnatural. *'In the fifth position' is often redundant; 'in fifth position' is standard in technical dance language.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In general English (e.g., rankings), 'the' is used. In ballet terminology, 'the' is often omitted (e.g., 'Start in fifth position').
It is challenging. In careful speech, pronounce /fɪfθ/. In connected speech, especially in American English, it often simplifies to /fɪθ/ ('fith position').
Yes, but it's primarily a technical ballet term. In other contexts, it literally means 'the fifth place' (e.g., in a race, a list) and is not a specialised term.
First, second, third, fourth, and fifth positions are the five fundamental foot positions in classical ballet, all codified with specific alignments.
A fundamental stance in classical ballet where the feet are placed turned out, one directly in front of the other, with the heel of the front foot touching the toe of the back foot.
Fifth position is usually formal / technical in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly associated with the phrase 'fifth position']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the five toes of your front foot touching the five toes-worth of space behind your back foot in the ballet stance.
Conceptual Metaphor
ORDER IS SEQUENCE / DISCIPLINE IS ALIGNMENT (in ballet).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'fifth position' most specifically and technically defined?