Fifteen

Definition

Fifteen is the cardinal number equivalent to the sum of ten and five. It is represented numerically as 15 and is the number following fourteen and preceding sixteen.

Parts of Speech

• Noun
• Adjective

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˌfɪfˈtiːn/
• Respelling: fif-TEEN

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˌfɪfˈtiːn/
• Respelling: fif-TEEN

Etymology

The word "fifteen" originates from the Old English term "fīftēne," which combines "fīf" (five) and "-tīene" (ten more). It is rooted in Proto-Germanic "*fimftehan" and Proto-Indo-European "*pénkwe" (five) and "*déḱm" (ten).

Derivatives

• Fifteenth (adjective/noun)
• Fifteenfold (adjective/adverb)
• Fifteen-year-old (noun/adjective)
• Fifteen-minute (adjective)
• Fifteen-hundred (adjective)

Synonyms

• XV (Roman numeral)
• Fifteen units
• None

Antonyms

• None

Usage

The number "fifteen" is widely used in mathematical contexts, timekeeping, and age descriptions, as in "The clock struck fifteen minutes past the hour." It is also used symbolically, such as in sports where team sizes or scores are often counted in sets of fifteen.

Related Terms

• Five: The base number in the term "fifteen."
• Ten: The additional component in the composition of fifteen.
• Decimal: A numerical system in which "fifteen" is represented as 15.

Detailed Definitions

Noun

• The number equivalent to the sum of ten and five: Refers to the cardinal number 15.
  • Example: "The team scored fifteen points in the game."
• A group or set of fifteen items: Indicates a collection containing 15 units.
  • Example: "The recipe calls for fifteen eggs."

Adjective

• Being fifteen in number: Describes a quantity or amount.
  • Example: "The bus can carry fifteen passengers."