fifty-first: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral to formal; more common in formal listings, enumerations, and rankings.
Quick answer
What does “fifty-first” mean?
the ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number fifty-one.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
the ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number fifty-one; next after the fiftieth.
Used to describe the position, rank, or order in a sequence. Can also describe a fraction (one fifty-first).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Minor potential variation in whether 'first' or '1st' is used in abbreviated formats (e.g., 51st is universal).
Connotations
Neutral in both varieties.
Frequency
Equal frequency in both dialects as a basic ordinal number.
Grammar
How to Use “fifty-first” in a Sentence
[the] fifty-first + NOUN (attributive)[the] + fifty-first (nominal)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “fifty-first” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- She celebrated her fifty-first birthday with a trip to the Lake District.
American English
- He works on the fifty-first floor of the skyscraper in downtown Chicago.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in reporting, rankings (e.g., 'the company ranked fifty-first in the Fortune list').
Academic
Used in sequencing, references (e.g., 'discussed in the fifty-first chapter'), and historical timelines.
Everyday
Common for birthdays, anniversaries, and positions in queues or competitions.
Technical
Used in precise sequencing, e.g., in computing (the fifty-first element in an array), engineering, or mathematics.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “fifty-first”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “fifty-first”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “fifty-first”
- Writing as 'fifty first' (without hyphen) before a noun.
- Incorrect pronunciation stress on 'fif' instead of 'fif-ty-first'.
- Using cardinal number (fifty-one) where ordinal is required.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is hyphenated as 'fifty-first' when used as an adjective before a noun (the fifty-first day). When used as a noun or after a verb, it is often not hyphenated (He finished fifty first).
In both British and American English, the primary stress is on 'first' and a secondary stress on 'fif': /ˌfɪfti ˈfɜːst/ (UK) /ˌfɪfti ˈfɜrst/ (US).
Yes, e.g., 'She was the fifty-first to arrive' or 'Let's discuss the fifty-first of the proposals'.
The standard abbreviation is '51st' (e.g., 51st anniversary).
the ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number fifty-one.
Fifty-first is usually neutral to formal; more common in formal listings, enumerations, and rankings. in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Talk about the fifty-first state (politics, US)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
FIFTY (50) + FIRST (1st) = 51st. Remember the hyphen when it describes a noun: 'fifty-first place'.
Conceptual Metaphor
POSITION AS A POINT ON A LINE (e.g., 'We're on the fifty-first mile of the journey').
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'fifty-first' correctly?