fivesome

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fivesome" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a group of five people or things, often in contexts like games or social gatherings. Example: "The fivesome played a thrilling match of basketball at the park yesterday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

At the opposite end of the spectrum are the Strokes, a privileged New York fivesome; the lead singer is Julian Casablancas, the scion of the Casablancas modelling empire, and the seed of the band was planted at Manhattan's Dwight School.

The New Yorker

I was waiting alone, and overheard hours of conversation from the pair ahead of me and the fivesome behind me.

The New York Times

As the fivesome continues to play, people arrive, and banter.

The New York Times

For their 10th studio album, "Old Mad Joy," the fivesome recorded in Woodstock, N.Y., relinquishing production duties to Larry Campbell, an associate of Bob Dylan and Levon Helm.

The New York Times

They included Kevin Ceconi, a tattooed former PGA Tour caddie who was playing in a fivesome on the club's lower course, a short nine-hole loop that's easier to walk than the championship upper course, once the home of a Senior PGA (now Champions) Tour stop.

The New York Times

This fivesome bounces along for a while, the widow and the fat woman keeping silent, the mother and grandmother talking to the child and each other about the food.

The Guardian - Books

For example the 1st Test at Kolkata in 1993 featured a fearsome fivesome of Devon Malcolm, Paul Jarvis, Chris Lewis, Paul Taylor and the aforementioned Ian '76.95 average over 15 matches' Salisbury.

The Guardian - Sport

And The World's End reflects this, with a larger cast of central characters: Martin Freeman, Paddy Considine and Eddie Marsan making up the fivesome.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

They have fivesomes.

The Economist

There are four fivesomes, with the central figure in each quintet bound in tulle, the rest cascading off down toward the street.

The New York Times - Arts

If this photo were a painting by one of the Great Masters it might be called "Allegory of the Popular Fivesome": there was Mr. Rodriguez, from a sort of boy band in the full blossom of popularity, Mr. Fatone from the boy band in middle age, and Ms. Brown from the girl band that is no longer.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be aware that "fivesome" can sometimes have a sexual connotation; ensure context is clear to avoid misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "fivesome" in formal or professional contexts where its potential sexual connotation could be misconstrued. Opt for more neutral terms like "group of five" or "team of five" instead.

Linguistic Context

The word "fivesome" functions as a noun and occasionally as an adjective. As a noun, it denotes a group of five people or things. According to Ludwig, the word is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "fivesome" correctly describes a group of five people or things, though be mindful of its potential sexual connotation. It's considered grammatically sound and frequently appears in media. While fairly common, using alternatives like "group of five" may be better suited for professional environments. Ludwig provides numerous examples across various contexts, indicating a versatile but potentially nuanced application. As Ludwig AI suggests, the term is acceptable and commonly understood, so consider your audience and context to make effective writing choices.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

group of five people

More explicit and neutral, suitable for formal contexts where "fivesome" might be too informal.

a quintet

Specifically refers to a group of five musicians or a musical composition for five instruments.

a pentad

A more formal and less common term for a group of five, often used in academic or scientific contexts.

five individuals

Simple and direct, suitable for any context where a precise and unambiguous term is needed.

team of five

Implies a collaborative effort or shared goal among the group members.

five-member group

Highlights the size of the group and emphasizes its composition.

collection of five

Applicable to both people and objects, suggesting a gathering or assortment.

set of five

Suggests a predefined or organized grouping of five items or individuals.

batch of five

Implies that the five are part of a larger production or selection process.

cluster of five

Indicates a close proximity or aggregation of five entities.

FAQs

How can I use "fivesome" in a sentence?

You can use "fivesome" to describe a group of five people engaged in an activity. For example, "The golfing fivesome enjoyed a sunny afternoon on the course."

What are some alternatives to "fivesome"?

Alternatives to "fivesome" include "group of five", "quintet" (especially for musical groups), or "pentad" (a more formal term).

Is "fivesome" appropriate for formal writing?

While "fivesome" is generally acceptable, it may be too informal for some formal contexts. In academic or professional writing, consider using "group of five" or "team of five" for greater clarity and neutrality.

Does "fivesome" always refer to a group of people?

While "fivesome" typically refers to a group of five people, it can also refer to a group of five things, although this usage is less common. Be sure that the context is clear.