Many people search for “fifth vs fith” because they are unsure about the correct spelling. The word sounds tricky. When we say it quickly, the middle “f” is not very strong. So some people drop one letter and write “fith.” This creates confusion.
Students, writers, and English learners often ask:
- How do you spell 5th?
- Is fith a word?
- Is the F silent in fifth?
- What does fifth mean?
- How do you pronounce fifth correctly?
This article gives a quick answer first. Then it explains the word’s history, spelling rules, pronunciation, grammar usage, and common mistakes. It also explains search trends and professional writing advice.
If you want a simple answer and a detailed explanation, this guide will solve your confusion clearly and completely.
Fifth vs Fith
The correct spelling is fifth.
The spelling fith is incorrect and not a real English word.
Correct Examples:
- She finished in fifth place.
- Today is the fifth of May.
- This is my fifth attempt.
Incorrect Examples:
- She finished in fith place.
- Today is the fith of May.
How do you spell 5th?
You spell 5th as fifth.
Is it 5fth or 5th?
It is always 5th.
“5fth” is incorrect.
Is fith a word?
No. “Fith” has no meaning in standard English dictionaries.
The Origin of Fifth vs Fith
The word fifth comes from Old English “fīfta.” It is the ordinal form of the number five.
In English grammar, numbers have two forms:
Cardinal Numbers (Counting Numbers)
- One
- Two
- Three
- Four
- Five
Ordinal Numbers (Position Numbers)
- First
- Second
- Third
- Fourth
- Fifth
When forming ordinal numbers, spelling sometimes changes.
Examples:
| Cardinal | Ordinal |
|---|---|
| Five | Fifth |
| Twelve | Twelfth |
| Three | Third |
| Four | Fourth |
Notice something important:
When “five” becomes “fifth,” the “ve” ending changes to “fth.” This is a historical spelling change that follows old English sound patterns.
Why does “fith” happen?
It happens because of pronunciation simplification.
Correct pronunciation: /fɪfθ/
The word contains:
- First F sound
- Short “i”
- Second F sound
- “th” sound
When spoken fast, the two F sounds blend together. The second F may feel weak. So people think only one F exists. But in writing, both are required.
So:
- Fifth = correct ordinal number
- Fith = spelling error caused by sound confusion
British English vs American English Spelling
Some English words have different spellings in American and British English.
Examples:
- Color (US) / Colour (UK)
- Center (US) / Centre (UK)
- Organize (US) / Organise (UK)
But fifth does not change.
Both American and British English use the same spelling.
| Feature | American English | British English |
|---|---|---|
| Correct Spelling | Fifth | Fifth |
| Incorrect Form | Fith ❌ | Fith ❌ |
| Pronunciation | /fɪfθ/ | /fɪfθ/ |
| Formal Writing | Fifth | Fifth |
There is no regional variation.
Whether you are writing in:
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Canada
- Australia
- India
- Pakistan
The correct spelling is always fifth.
Which Spelling Should You Use?
You should always use fifth.
There is no situation in professional English where “fith” is correct.
For Academic Writing
Always use “fifth.” Spelling errors reduce marks and credibility.
For Business Emails
Correct spelling builds professionalism and trust.
Example:
- This is my fifth reminder regarding the invoice.
For SEO Content
Search engines recognize “fifth” as the correct keyword.
“Fith” appears mostly in correction searches.
Using correct spelling improves:
- Authority
- Trust signals
- Content quality
- Reader confidence
Common Mistakes with Fifth vs Fith
1. Dropping the Second F
Wrong: fith
Correct: fifth
2. Writing the Number Form Incorrectly
Wrong: 5fth
Correct: 5th
3. Thinking the F Is Silent
The F is not silent in fifth.
Both F sounds are pronounced.
Say it slowly:
Fif-th
4. Confusing “Five” and “Fifth”
Five = quantity
Fifth = position
Example:
- I bought five apples.
- I ate the fifth apple.
5. Misunderstanding “Fifth Place”
“Fifth place” means position number five in a ranking.
Example:
- She finished in fifth place in the competition.
6. Searching for “FITH Syndrome”
There is no recognized medical term called “FITH Syndrome” in standard English medical references. It usually appears as a typo or unrelated acronym.
Fifth vs Fith in Everyday Examples
Here are real-world examples of correct usage:
In Emails
- This is my fifth request for approval.
- We are located on the fifth floor.
In News Writing
- The company recorded growth for the fifth year in a row.
- The athlete secured fifth place in the final.
On Social Media
- Just had my fifth coffee today!
- Finished 5th but still proud.
In Academic Writing
- The fifth chapter explains the research method.
- This is the fifth experiment conducted this month.
In Legal or Formal Documents
- The agreement begins on the fifth day of June.
- The fifth clause outlines responsibilities.
Never use “fith” in formal writing.
Fifth vs Fith – Google Trends & Usage Data
Search patterns show clear intent differences.
“Fifth” has high search volume globally because it is:
- A common ordinal number
- Used in dates
- Used in rankings
- Used in academic contexts
“Fith” appears mainly in:
- Spelling correction searches
- English learner queries
- Typing mistakes
Common search queries include:
- How do you spell 5th?
- Is fith a word?
- Fifth pronunciation
- 5th in words
- Fifth number meaning
Countries with large English learner populations show more “fith vs fifth” searches. This suggests that confusion comes from pronunciation and spelling learning stages.
From an SEO perspective:
Primary keyword:
- Fifth vs fith
Secondary keywords:
- How do you spell 5th
- Fifth pronunciation
- 5th in words
- Is fith a word
- Fifth number
LSI keywords:
- Ordinal number spelling rules
- Common English spelling mistakes
- Grammar correction guide
- English pronunciation tips
- Difference between cardinal and ordinal numbers
Using correct spelling increases content trust and search engine ranking strength.
Comparison Table – Fifth vs Fith
| Feature | Fifth | Fith |
|---|---|---|
| Correct Spelling | Yes | No |
| Meaning | Ordinal form of five | No meaning |
| Dictionary Entry | Yes | No |
| Used in Academic Writing | Yes | Never |
| Pronunciation | /fɪfθ/ | Incorrect |
| Professional Use | Yes | No |
FAQs
1. How can I use fith correctly?
You cannot. It is incorrect. Use “fifth.”
2. Is the F silent in fifth?
No. Both F sounds are pronounced.
3. How do you spell 5th?
You spell it “fifth.”
4. Is it 5fth or 5th?
It is 5th.
5. What is 5th in words?
5th in words is “fifth.”
6. What does fifth mean?
It means position number five in a sequence.
7. Is fith in the dictionary?
No. It is not recognized as a correct English word.
8. What is the fifth number?
In order counting: first, second, third, fourth, fifth — the fifth number is five in position form.
Conclusion
The confusion between fifth vs fith is common but easy to fix. The correct spelling is fifth, and it is the ordinal form of the number five. The spelling comes from Old English and follows established grammar patterns. There is no American or British variation. The word is spelled the same worldwide.
“Fith” appears because pronunciation blends the sounds together. However, it is not correct in writing. Using the correct spelling improves clarity, professionalism, and trust. It also strengthens SEO performance and content authority.
Remember:
- 5th in words = fifth
- Fith meaning = none
- The F is not silent
- Fifth place = position number five
Correct spelling builds confidence. Clear grammar builds authority. Now you can confidently use “fifth” correctly in every situation.
