five

American  

[fahyv] / faɪv /

noun

1. a cardinal number, four plus one.

2. a symbol for this number, as 5 or V.

3. a set of this many persons or things.

4. a playing card, die face, or half of a domino face with five pips.

5. Informal. a five-dollar bill.

   Can you give me two fives for a ten?

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adjective

1. amounting to five in number.

idioms

1. take five, to take a brief respite.

five British  

/ faɪv /

noun

1. the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

2. a numeral, 5, V, etc, representing this number

3. the amount or quantity that is one greater than four

4. something representing, represented by, or consisting of five units, such as a playing card with five symbols on it

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determiner

1. 1. amounting to five

      five minutes

      five nights

   2. ( as pronoun )

      choose any five you like

five More Idioms  

1. see take five.

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Etymology

Origin of five

before 1000; 1925–30 five for def. 7; Middle English; Old English fīf; cognate with Dutch vijf, German fünf, Old Norse fimm, Gothic fimf, Latin quīnque, Greek pénte, Sanskrit pancha

Example Sentences

Just five months ago, the core rate of inflation had slowed to a five-year low of 2.5% and was moving closer to the Fed’s 2% long-term target.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 9, 2026

Despite the May increase, existing-home sales are up only 0.7% in the first five months of 2026 compared with 2025.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

And having to do a stop-and-go, sort of stop and wait for five, 10 seconds, whatever people got, it destroys you on a track so short as well, your chances.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026

Considered the “Giant of CONCACAF,” Mexico has remained dominant in its region since 2010, with five Gold Cups, although it has lost ground to the United States in the Nations League.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

"Well, your Honor, I did ask him to make a cape, and in the end, I asked for five," said the farmer.

From "Adventures of Don Quixote" by Argentina Palacios