fifty-sixth: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (ordinal numbers beyond twentieth become progressively less common in everyday speech, but remain standard).Formal to neutral. Common in official lists, numerical sequences, rankings, and technical or academic contexts where precise enumeration is required.
Quick answer
What does “fifty-sixth” mean?
The ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number fifty-six.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number fifty-six; the position in a sequence following fifty-fifth.
Can signify a fractional division into 56 equal parts (e.g., 'a fifty-sixth of the cake'). In a ranked list, indicates position 56.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage or meaning.
Connotations
Neutral. In both regions, its primary connotation is precise, factual enumeration. In competitive contexts, may connote a middling-to-lower position in a large field.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both dialects, used when the specific number is contextually required (e.g., legislative amendments, marathon results, specific anniversaries).
Grammar
How to Use “fifty-sixth” in a Sentence
ordinal + noun (the fifty-sixth contestant)verb + ordinal (to come fifty-sixth)one + fractional (one fifty-sixth)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “fifty-sixth” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- She was the fifty-sixth to cross the finish line.
- Cut the cake into fifty-sixths for the class.
American English
- His position was a disappointing fifty-sixth.
- Approximately one fifty-sixth of the sample was contaminated.
adjective
British English
- The fifty-sixth regiment saw action at Waterloo.
- She celebrated her fifty-sixth birthday with a quiet dinner.
American English
- The Fifty-Sixth Amendment to the state constitution was ratified.
- He works on the fifty-sixth floor of the skyscraper.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in reports for fiscal years, project milestones, or market rankings (e.g., 'Our company is the fifty-sixth largest exporter').
Academic
Used in referencing (chapter, theorem, page), historical periods, or statistical percentiles.
Everyday
Mostly for birthdays, anniversaries, or positions in queues/competitions.
Technical
Used in precise sequencing, such as in software versions (v56.0), engineering tolerances, or genomic mapping.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “fifty-sixth”
- Misspelling as 'fifty-sixt' or 'fifty-sixst'.
- Incorrect pronunciation by omitting the second 'f' in 'fifty' (/ˈfɪ.ti/) or mispronouncing the cluster 'ksθ'.
- Using the cardinal form where ordinal is required ('He was number fifty-six in the race' vs. 'He was fifty-sixth').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, as a compound ordinal number between twenty-one and ninety-nine, it is standardly hyphenated: fifty-sixth.
As an ordinal numeral, it is written as 56th (with the superscript 'th'). In some formal documents, it may be written out in full.
Yes, when used as a noun (e.g., 'one fifty-sixth'), it represents one part out of fifty-six equal parts.
Yes. 'Fifty-six' is a cardinal number denoting quantity (56 items). 'Fifty-sixth' is an ordinal number denoting position or sequence (the 56th item).
The ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number fifty-six.
Fifty-sixth is usually formal to neutral. common in official lists, numerical sequences, rankings, and technical or academic contexts where precise enumeration is required. in register.
Fifty-sixth: in British English it is pronounced /ˌfɪf.ti ˈsɪksθ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌfɪf.ti ˈsɪksθ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a deck of cards: if you had 56 cards, the very last one you'd deal would be the fifty-sixth card.
Conceptual Metaphor
POSITION IS A NUMBER ON A LINE; FRACTIONS ARE PARTS OF A WHOLE.
Practice
Quiz
In the fraction 1/56, how do you pronounce the denominator?