fifty

American  

[fif-tee] / ˈfɪf ti /

noun

plural

fifties

1. a cardinal number, ten times five.

2. a symbol for this number, as 50 or L.

3. a set of this many persons or things.

4. fifties, the numbers, years, degrees, or the like, from 50 through 59, as in referring to numbered streets, indicating the years of a lifetime or of a century, or degrees of temperature.

   She lives in the East Fifties. He's in his late fifties. It's going to be in the fifties again today.

5. Informal. a fifty-dollar bill.

   He had a fifty and two tens in his wallet.

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adjective

1. amounting to 50 in number.

fifty British  

/ ˈfɪftɪ /

noun

1. the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five

2. a numeral, 50, L, etc, representing this number

3. something represented by, representing, or consisting of 50 units

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determiner

1. 1. amounting to fifty

      fifty people

   2. ( as pronoun )

      fifty should be sufficient

Etymology

Origin of fifty

before 900; Middle English; Old English fīftig. See five, -ty ¹

Example Sentences

Fifty years ago, a new contemporary-art institution began to welcome visitors to a vacant neo-Romanesque school at the southwestern edge of Queens.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

Fifty years ago, Rick Monday was minding his own business, tending to center field for the Chicago Cubs in a game at Dodger Stadium.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 19, 2026

Fifty years of progress in women’s education and career opportunities have led to professional men and women marrying each other, staying in the workforce and leaving traditional couples behind.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

They also reiterate their lack of bubble concerns, noting that valuations are still lower than what was seen before the 2000 tech bubble and th1970s Nifty Fifty bust.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026

Fifty feet up, the heavy cage began to sway with every gust.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin