noun
Uncommon
fifties
FIHF-teez
Fifties (noun) means the decade from 50 to 59 in a century, most often referring to the 1950s. Example: “Rock and roll first took off in the fifties.”
noun
1
The decade from 50 to 59 in a century, most often referring to the 1950s.
"America in the fifties also had its share of reactionary political violence."
— Danny Goldberg, A Guest Post By Danny Goldberg: Culture, Empathy And Resistance (2025)
"Rock and roll first took off in the fifties."
2
The years of a person’s life from age 50 through 59.
"You don't really start living until you're in your fifties!"
"She took up painting in her fifties."
How to use fifties
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the 1950s decade, or someone’s age range from 50 to 59.
Common pairings
in his fifties
the swinging fifties
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like fifties.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Rock and roll first took off in the _____.
Synonyms
View more →
1950s
'50s
50s
Rhymes for fifties
See all rhymes for fifties →Frequently asked questions
What does “fifties” mean?
The word “fifties” means the decade from 50 to 59 in a century, most often referring to the 1950s. In plain terms, either the 1950s decade, or someone’s age range from 50 to 59.
How do you pronounce “fifties”?
“Fifties” is pronounced FIHF-teez (/ˈfɪftiz/ in IPA).
How do you use “fifties” in a sentence?
Here is “fifties” used in a sentence: “Rock and roll first took off in the fifties.”
What is another word for “fifties”?
Words with a similar meaning to “fifties” include 1950s, '50s and 50s.
What part of speech is “fifties”?
“Fifties” is a noun.
Is “fifties” a common word?
“Fifties” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “fifties” have?
“Fifties” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the decade from 50 to 59 in a century, most often referring to the 1950s.
