quintile

American  

[kwin-til, -tahyl] / ˈkwɪn tɪl, -taɪl /

noun

1. Statistics. a quantile for the special case of five equal proportions.

2. Astrology. a quintile aspect.

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adjective

1. Astrology. of or relating to the aspect of two heavenly bodies that are one fifth of the zodiac, or 72°, apart.

quintile British  

/ ˈkwɪntaɪl /

noun

1. an aspect of 72° between two heavenly bodies

2. a fifth part of a distribution

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Etymology

Origin of quintile

1600–10; < Latin quīnt ( us ) fifth + -ile (as in quartile )

Example Sentences

One of screens shows stocks that are relatively expensive—they are in the top quintile of price/earnings multiples — and are in the top quintile of gross margin volatility.

From Barron's • Apr. 17, 2026

“In 2022 the cost of inflation for the lowest income quintile amounted to 12.28% of their current income, compared with 5.69% for the highest quintile,” the economists wrote.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 12, 2025

The researchers found that, within each quintile of deprivation, exclusively breastfed infants used fewer healthcare services and incurred lower costs compared to infants fed any formula milk.

From Science Daily • May 22, 2024

What is more likely for both is they will stay in the poorest quintile or at best, move up one level to lower middle class.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 28, 2023

The figures show the percentage of each quintile in first year high school who were found in the same quintile in the various later years.

From Vocational Psychology: Its Problems and Methods by Hollingworth, Harry L.