fives: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal (numerical/sports); Informal (slang for money).
Quick answer
What does “fives” mean?
The number that is one more than four.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The number that is one more than four; 5.
1. A game, chiefly British, in which a ball is struck with the hand or a glove against a wall. 2. A British term for a score of five runs in cricket. 3. Slang for a five-pound or five-dollar note.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The ball game 'fives' is almost exclusively British, unknown to most Americans. The cricket usage is British. The slang for a banknote ('fiver') exists in both, but 'fives' as a plural for notes is less common in the US.
Connotations
In the UK, 'fives' can evoke tradition, elite schools, and cricket. In the US, it primarily signifies the number, with no sporting connotation.
Frequency
High frequency in both dialects for the number. Very low frequency in the US for the game or cricket term.
Grammar
How to Use “fives” in a Sentence
[Subject] + count + by + fives[Subject] + play + fives + [adverbial of place]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in financial contexts referring to denominations (e.g., 'in fives and tens').
Academic
Used in mathematics for counting, multiplication, and set theory.
Everyday
Common for counting, age, time, and basic arithmetic.
Technical
In cricket scoring; in the specific rules and terminology of the sport of fives.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “fives”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “fives”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “fives”
- Using 'fives' as a singular noun (e.g., 'a fives' – incorrect for the game; correct: 'a game of fives').
- Confusing 'fives' (game) with 'handball' (which has different rules internationally).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'fives' is not a standard verb form. The related verb would be 'to five' which is archaic and not used in modern English.
Yes, but typically only in plural contexts (e.g., 'count by fives'). The digit '5' or word 'five' is used for the singular.
Fives is a specific English game with variations (Eton, Rugby), played in a three- or four-walled court, often with a gloved hand. International handball is a team sport played on a court, unrelated to a wall.
'Fiver' is a fixed lexical item for a single note. 'Fives' is simply the regular plural, used when referring to multiple notes of that denomination, which is a less frequent conversational need.
The number that is one more than four.
Fives: in British English it is pronounced /faɪvz/, and in American English it is pronounced /faɪvz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Take five”
- “High five”
- “Nine-to-five”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a HIVE (sounds like 'five') with exactly five bees entering it.
Conceptual Metaphor
QUANTITY IS VERTICALITY (e.g., 'prices have gone up by fives'); A GROUP IS A CONTAINER (e.g., 'a fives of cricketers').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'fives' LEAST likely to be used in American English?