forty-fifth: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1neutral
Quick answer
What does “forty-fifth” mean?
The ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number 45.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number 45; designating position 45 in a sequence.
Can denote a specific element in a series (e.g., the 45th US President), a fraction (one forty-fifth), or a specific point in time (the forty-fifth year).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No spelling or usage differences for the numeral itself. Hyphenation is standard in both (forty-fifth). The number 'forty' (vs. 'fourty') is standard in both, though 'fourty' is a common misspelling.
Connotations
Identical connotations (e.g., the forty-fifth parallel).
Frequency
Equal frequency in both varieties, tied to contexts discussing ordinal sequences.
Grammar
How to Use “forty-fifth” in a Sentence
the + forty-fifth + noun (ordinal adjective)the + forty-fifth (pronominal use)one + forty-fifth (fraction)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “forty-fifth” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The forty-fifth edition of the handbook has been revised.
American English
- He was the forty-fifth person to sign the petition.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"The company will report its forty-fifth consecutive quarter of growth."
Academic
"The theory is discussed in the forty-fifth chapter of the seminal text."
Everyday
"We're celebrating our forty-fifth wedding anniversary next week."
Technical
"The spacecraft crossed the forty-fifth parallel north."
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “forty-fifth”
- Spelling as 'fourty-fifth' (incorrect) or 'fortyfive' (missing hyphen).
- Using as a cardinal number (e.g., 'I have forty-fifth books' – incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is always 'forty-fifth'. 'Fourty' is a common misspelling of the number forty.
As a fraction, it is written as 1/45 and spoken as 'one forty-fifth'.
No meaningful difference in meaning. '45th' is the numeric abbreviation, while 'forty-fifth' is the word form. 'Forty-fifth' is often preferred in formal writing.
Yes, pronominally (e.g., 'She was the forty-fifth to arrive'). It can also denote a fraction (e.g., 'A forty-fifth of the estate').
The ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number 45.
Forty-fifth is usually neutral in register.
Forty-fifth: in British English it is pronounced /ˌfɔːti ˈfɪfθ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌfɔːrṭi ˈfɪfθ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Take the fifth (play on 'Fifth Amendment'; not directly related to 'forty-fifth')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'forty' (40) and add 'fifth' (5th) to get the position after forty-four. Remember the hyphen: forty-five (cardinal) -> forty-fifth (ordinal).
Conceptual Metaphor
SEQUENCE IS POSITION ON A PATH (the forty-fifth step on a long journey).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the correct written form of the ordinal number?