fifty-fourth: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral to Formal
Quick answer
What does “fifty-fourth” mean?
The ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number 54.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number 54; occupying position number 54 in a sequence.
Denoting a specific item, person, or point in an ordered series; sometimes used to refer to the 54th day of a year, the 54th state in a list, or the 54th version or edition of something.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling conventions (e.g., 'fourth' vs 'fourth') are identical. UK English may more frequently hear 'the fifty-fourth' without a following noun in certain formal contexts (e.g., parliamentary procedure: 'The fifty-fourth has the floor.').
Connotations
Neutral in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties; frequency tied entirely to the context requiring ordinal numbers.
Grammar
How to Use “fifty-fourth” in a Sentence
[the] fifty-fourth [of + NOUN (month/year)][the] fifty-fourth [to + INFINITIVE][the] fifty-fourth [in/on + NOUN (list/series)]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “fifty-fourth” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
American English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [Rarely used as an adverb; 'He finished fifty-fourth.' can be analysed as an adverbial objective]
American English
- [Rarely used as an adverb; 'She ranked fifty-fourth nationally.' can be analysed as an adverbial objective]
adjective
British English
- She celebrated her fifty-fourth birthday with a quiet dinner.
- He was the fifty-fourth person to cross the finish line.
American English
- The fifty-fourth state admitted to the Union was...
- They live on the fifty-fourth floor of the skyscraper.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Referring to fiscal quarters, annual reports, or version numbers (e.g., 'This is the fifty-fourth iteration of our product').
Academic
Used in historical chronology, referencing chapters, amendments, or listings in academic papers.
Everyday
Most common for birthdays, anniversaries, and positions in queues or competitions.
Technical
Used in numbering systems, versions of software (v54.0), or specific measurements (e.g., latitude).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “fifty-fourth”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “fifty-fourth”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “fifty-fourth”
- Writing as 'fiftyfourth' (no hyphen), pronouncing 'fourth' as 'forth', confusing with cardinal 'fifty-four' in speech.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, as a compound ordinal number, it is standard to write it with a hyphen: fifty-fourth.
Yes, for example: 'The fifty-fourth to arrive was given a special ticket.'
The main difference is in the vowel of 'fourth'. In British English, it's /fɔːθ/; in American, it's often /fɔːrθ/ with a more pronounced 'r' sound.
You write it as 'fifty-fourth'. Remember the hyphen and the 'th' suffix.
The ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number 54.
Fifty-fourth is usually neutral to formal in register.
Fifty-fourth: in British English it is pronounced /ˌfɪfti ˈfɔːθ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌfɪfti ˈfɔːrθ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms specific to this ordinal]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
"Fifty" plus "fourth" – think of it as the number that comes after you've counted four more than fifty.
Conceptual Metaphor
POSITION IN A SEQUENCE IS A LOCATION ON A PATH (e.g., 'He finished in fifty-fourth place').
Practice
Quiz
How should 'fifty-fourth' be written in a formal document listing chapters?