sixty-fourth: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral to Formal. Technical when referring to musical notation.
Quick answer
What does “sixty-fourth” mean?
The ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number 64.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number 64; one of 64 equal parts of a whole.
In music, a note having one sixty-fourth of the time value of a whole note. Also used metaphorically to denote an extremely small part or subdivision.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or spelling. Usage in music is identical. Slight preference for '64th' as a short form in American technical contexts.
Connotations
Identical. Both associate it with fine subdivision.
Frequency
Low frequency in both varieties, primarily appearing in mathematical, musical, or precision contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “sixty-fourth” in a Sentence
{verb} + the sixty-fourtha sixty-fourth of + {noun}the sixty-fourth + {noun}ordinal position: the sixty-fourth + {noun}Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sixty-fourth” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not applicable as a verb.
American English
- Not applicable as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
American English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- She finished in sixty-fourth position in the marathon.
- He calculated the sixty-fourth decimal place.
American English
- The composer added a sixty-fourth note run.
- It was their sixty-fourth anniversary celebration.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Could appear in contexts of shareholding or precise measurement (e.g., 'He owns a sixty-fourth share in the venture').
Academic
Used in mathematics (fractions), music theory, and precise scientific measurement.
Everyday
Very rare in casual conversation. Might be used humorously for emphasis (e.g., 'I'm down to my sixty-fourth excuse').
Technical
Common in musical notation and precise engineering/measurement specifications.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sixty-fourth”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sixty-fourth”
- Writing as 'sixty fourth' without the hyphen.
- Confusing it with the cardinal number 'sixty-four'.
- Mispronouncing 'fourth' as 'forth'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, when used as an ordinal numeral or fraction (e.g., sixty-fourth part). The hyphen is standard.
In music, it's a note played for 1/64th the duration of a whole note. It's a very short note, also called a hemidemisemiquaver.
Yes, when referring to the fraction itself. Example: 'One sixty-fourth of the estate was left to charity.'
In non-technical contexts, you can say 'a very small part' or 'a tiny fraction'. In music, it's the standard term.
Sixty-fourth is usually neutral to formal. technical when referring to musical notation. in register.
Sixty-fourth: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsɪk.sti ˈfɔːθ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsɪk.sti ˈfɔrθ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not applicable. No established idioms use this term.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a whole pizza cut in half, then in half again, and again, and again, until you have 64 tiny slices. One of those is a sixty-fourth.
Conceptual Metaphor
PRECISION IS SMALL DIVISION (e.g., 'We analysed the data to a sixty-fourth degree of accuracy').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'sixty-fourth' MOST commonly used?