fifty-eight: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
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Quick answer
What does “fifty-eight” mean?
The cardinal number equivalent to the sum of fifty and eight.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The cardinal number equivalent to the sum of fifty and eight; 58.
Used to denote a quantity, age, order, or identifier; can also metaphorically represent a point just beyond the midpoint of a scale.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling and hyphenation are consistent. Minor potential differences in pronunciation of the 't' in 'eight' (flapped in American English). The numeral form is universal.
Connotations
No significant connotative differences. In both dialects, it is a neutral numeral.
Frequency
Equal frequency as a basic number in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “fifty-eight” in a Sentence
NUM + N (fifty-eight participants)BE + fifty-eight + N (He is fifty-eight years old.)V + at + fifty-eight (retire at fifty-eight)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “fifty-eight” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He managed to fifty-eight his score in the last round. (informal, to make it 58)
American English
- The quarterback fifty-eighted the play. (slang, to call play number 58)
adjective
British English
- The fifty-eight-page document was exhaustive.
American English
- She bought the fifty-eight-ounce jar of peanut butter.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in reports, e.g., 'fifty-eight units sold,' 'page fifty-eight of the contract.'
Academic
Used in statistics, referencing, and data description, e.g., 'a sample of fifty-eight respondents.'
Everyday
Common for stating age, quantity, prices, and scores, e.g., 'I need fifty-eight pounds for the train ticket.'
Technical
Used in specifications, codes, and measurements, e.g., 'a fifty-eight millimeter bore.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “fifty-eight”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “fifty-eight”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “fifty-eight”
- Misspelling as 'fiftyeight' (should be hyphenated when written out).
- Incorrect stress: placing primary stress on 'fif' instead of on 'fif' and 'eight' equally.
- Using a plural verb with 'fifty-eight' when it refers to a single collective amount, e.g., 'Fifty-eight pounds is the cost.' (correct) vs. 'Fifty-eight pounds are the cost.' (incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, when written out as words, compound numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine are hyphenated.
Yes, when hyphenated in a compound modifier before a noun, e.g., 'a fifty-eight-year-old actor'.
When 'fifty-eight' refers to a single quantity or amount, use a singular verb (e.g., 'Fifty-eight miles is a long way'). When it refers to individual items, use a plural verb (e.g., 'Fifty-eight students are waiting').
Learners sometimes pronounce the 't' in 'eight' too strongly or omit the secondary stress on the first syllable. Aim for /ˌfɪfti ˈeɪt/ with a clear, but not overly aspirated, 't' sound in 'eight'.
The cardinal number equivalent to the sum of fifty and eight.
Fifty-eight is usually neutral in register.
Fifty-eight: in British English it is pronounced /ˌfɪfti ˈeɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌfɪfti ˈeɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “On the fifty-eight (slang, rare, for being in a difficult spot, derived from 'on the 58th mile' of a journey)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a deck of cards (52) plus half a dozen (6) more, but take away the jokers (2) – you get fifty-eight.
Conceptual Metaphor
A NUMBER IS A POSITION ON A PATH (e.g., 'We're on page fifty-eight of the journey.'); A NUMBER IS A CONTAINER (e.g., 'The fifty-eight students filled the hall.')
Practice
Quiz
How is the number 58 most correctly written in formal British English text?