fifth wheel

F f

Transcription

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
- [fifth or, often, fith hweel, weel]
- /fɪfθ or, often, fɪθ ʰwil, wil/
- /fɪfθ wiːl/

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [fifth or, often, fith hweel, weel]
- /fɪfθ or, often, fɪθ ʰwil, wil/

Definitions of fifth wheel words

noun fifth wheel a horizontal ring or segment of a ring, consisting of two bands that slide on each other, placed above the front axle of a carriage and designed to support the forepart of the body while allowing it to turn freely in a horizontal plane. 1
noun fifth wheel a similar device used as a coupling to connect a semitrailer to a tractor. 1
noun fifth wheel a similar coupling between a heavy-duty pickup truck and a camping trailer (fifth-wheel trailer) that extends over the bed of the truck. 1
noun fifth wheel an extra wheel for a four-wheeled vehicle. 1
noun fifth wheel a superfluous, unneeded, or unwanted person or thing: They enjoy making any outsider feel like a fifth wheel. 1
noun fifth wheel a spare wheel for a four-wheeled vehicle 0

See all 17 definitions of fifth wheel

Information block about the term

Origin of fifth wheel

First appearance:

before 1870

One of the 26% newest English words

First recorded in 1870-75

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Fifth wheel

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

Full grammatical hierarchy of Fifth wheel

fifth wheel popularity

A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 36% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.

According to our data about 64% of words is more used. This is a rare but used term. It occurs in the pages of specialized literature and in the speech of educated people.

fifth wheel usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for fifth wheel

noun fifth wheel

hanger-on — a person who remains in a place or attaches himself or herself to a group, another person, etc., although not wanted, especially in the hope or expectation of personal gain.
lagniappe — Chiefly Southern Louisiana and Southeast Texas. a small gift given with a purchase to a customer, by way of compliment or for good measure; bonus.
spare — to refrain from harming or destroying; leave uninjured; forbear to punish, hurt, or destroy: to spare one's enemy.
spare tire — a tire used or kept available as an emergency replacement on a vehicle.
superfluity — the state of being superfluous.

All 8 Synonyms of fifth wheel