
Incorrect spelling, explanation: you can’t spell fifteen as fiften because of standardized spelling conventions in the English language. The word fifteen evolved from the Old English fīftēne, meaning five plus ten. The -teen part is essential because it indicates numbers between 13 and 19. Without it, the meaning becomes unclear or incomplete. The -teen suffix is pronounced with a long vowel sound, emphasizing the number’s relationship to ten. Spelling it fiften removes the critical vowel sound, potentially making the pronunciation awkward and ambiguous.

Correct spelling, explanation: the reason we spell fifteen and not fiften lies in both historical language development and established conventions in English. The word fifteen comes from Old English fīftēne, which literally means five plus ten. This construction combined fīf (meaning five) and -tēne (meaning ten). Over time, this structure was maintained and evolved into the modern form fifteen. In short, fifteen reflects both its historical roots and phonetic clarity, while fiften is simply an incorrect variation with no place in modern English.
Definition of fifteen:
Number, a cardinal number representing the quantity or position that comes after fourteen and before sixteen
The bakery sold out all fifteen varieties of pastries by noon.
Emma celebrated her fifteenth birthday with a big party at home.
Collocations with fifteen:
Some of the most commonly used collocations include:
1. Fifteen minutes of fame: a short period of fame or popularity.
She had her fifteen minutes of fame after appearing on a popular TV show.
2. Fifteen dollars: a specific amount of money.
The book costs fifteen dollars at the local bookstore.
3. Fifteen years old: refers to someone’s age.
He’s fifteen years old and already knows what he wants to do in life.
4. Fifteen cents: a small amount of money, often used in the context of change or low-cost items.
The gum only costs fifteen cents at the vending machine.

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