fifty-fifth: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to formal; common in written contexts, technical reports, lists, and historical documentation.
Quick answer
What does “fifty-fifth” mean?
The ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number fifty-five.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number fifty-five; 55th in a series.
Used to denote position in a sequence, to identify a specific item in a list, or to express a fraction (one fifty-fifth).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Potential minor spelling preference in compound adjectives (e.g., 'fifty-fifth anniversary' vs. '55th anniversary') with US English slightly more prone to using the numeral form.
Connotations
Neutral in both dialects. May carry connotations of precision, formality, or historical specificity when used in official documents.
Frequency
Moderate and comparable frequency in both dialects, with spikes in academic, administrative, and historical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “fifty-fifth” in a Sentence
the + fifty-fifth + nounbe + the + fifty-fifthrank + fifty-fifthon + (possessive) + fifty-fifth + birthdayVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “fifty-fifth” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- She was the fifty-fifth applicant for the position.
- The manuscript is a fifty-fifth-century forgery.
- He won his fifty-fifth cap for the national team.
American English
- She was the fifty-fifth person in line.
- This is the company's fifty-fifth anniversary.
- He scored his fifty-fifth goal of the season.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The fifty-fifth quarterly report showed improved margins.
Academic
The phenomenon is discussed in the fifty-fifth chapter of the seminal text.
Everyday
We're celebrating Grandma's fifty-fifth birthday next week.
Technical
The sensor failed on the fifty-fifth cycle of the stress test.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “fifty-fifth”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “fifty-fifth”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “fifty-fifth”
- Spelling as 'fifty-five-th' (incorrect hyphenation)
- Pronunciation: eliding the second /t/ in 'fifty' can lead to 'fif-ee-fifth'.
- Using cardinal form where ordinal is required (e.g., 'He came in fifty-five' instead of '...in fifty-fifth place').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, as a compound ordinal number between twenty-one and ninety-nine, it is always hyphenated: fifty-fifth.
Yes, for example: 'She was the fifty-fifth to arrive' or 'One fifty-fifth of the total.'
It is pronounced /fɪfθ/. The 'f' and 'th' sounds are both made, requiring careful articulation to avoid dropping the /f/ sound.
A common error is writing 'fifty five' without the hyphen for the ordinal form. The correct written form is the hyphenated 'fifty-fifth'.
The ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number fifty-five.
Fifty-fifth is usually neutral to formal; common in written contexts, technical reports, lists, and historical documentation. in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'fifty' (50) plus 'five' (5) and the suffix '-th' for ordinals. It's a 'double five' pattern: five-ty fifth.
Conceptual Metaphor
SEQUENCE IS POSITION ON A PATH (e.g., 'reaching the fifty-fifth milestone').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'fifty-fifth' LEAST likely to be used?