Fifteen Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐
fifteen
[หfษชfหtiหn ]
Definitions
number of things
The number that is equal to the sum of ten and five; the number following fourteen and preceding sixteen.
Synonyms
15, quince.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| fifteen |
Use 'fifteen' in written and spoken English to refer to the number 15. It's a common way to describe this number in general contexts.
|
| 15 |
Use '15' in both written and spoken English for simplicity and precision, often in technical, mathematical, or informal settings.
|
| quince |
Use 'quince' in Spanish-speaking contexts to refer to the number 15. It's also used in cultural contexts, like the celebration 'quinceaรฑera' which marks a girl's fifteenth birthday in Latin American cultures.
|
Examples of usage
- I have fifteen apples in my basket.
- The room can accommodate fifteen people.
age
Being one more than fourteen.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| fifteen |
Use 'fifteen' when referring to the exact age of someone or something. It is a neutral term that specifies being one year older than fourteen and one year younger than sixteen.
|
| teen |
Use 'teen' to denote someone aged between 13 and 19. It is a casual and commonly used term that signifies someone in their teenage years.
|
| adolescent |
Use 'adolescent' when referring to someone in the age group roughly between 12 and 18 years old. It encompasses the developmental stage rather than a specific age, often used in more formal contexts or discussions about growth, behavior, or psychology.
|
Examples of usage
- She is fifteen years old.
- The movie is recommended for children aged fifteen and older.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Mathematics
- Fifteen is an odd composite number, meaning it can be divided by numbers other than just one and itself (1, 3, 5, 15).
- In Roman numerals, fifteen is written as 'XV', combining ten (X) and five (V).
- Fifteen is the sum of the first five prime numbers (2 + 3 + 5 + 7 + 11 = 28), but is not prime itself.
Culture
- Fifteen holds significance in several cultures, like the Quinceaรฑera in Latin America, which celebrates a girl's 15th birthday.
- In the United States, turning fifteen often brings a new level of independence and social opportunities for teens.
- The number fifteen is often associated with milestones in youth, marking the end of childhood and the beginning of adolescence.
Literature
- In Shakespeare's play 'The Tempest', the character Prospero's daughter, Miranda, becomes of age and reveals her views on love and life as she nears fifteen.
- The novel 'Fifteen' by Beverly Cleary presents the challenges and discoveries of teenage life and growing up.
- In various fairy tales, a character may undergo significant transformation at fifteen, emphasizing its role as a coming-of-age number.
Sports
- In Rugby, a team consists of fifteen players, highlighting the collaborative aspect of the sport.
- Fifteen goals are often a target score in various casual games, making it a familiar number for competitions.
- The number fifteen is also notable in basketball, where a maximum of fifteen players can be rostered on a team.
Origin of 'fifteen'
The word 'fifteen' originated from the Old English word 'fiftene', which is a combination of 'fif', meaning 'five', and '-tene', a suffix meaning 'ten'. The use of 'fifteen' to represent the number between fourteen and sixteen dates back to the 12th century. The word has remained unchanged in its meaning and spelling for centuries.