fife Meaning & Definition
What Does Fife Mean?
Fife is used as a noun meaning A small shrill pipe, resembling the piccolo flute, used chiefly to accompany the drum in military music. As a verb, it means To play this instrument. As a numeral, it means Used instead of five in radio communications to avoid confusion.
Word Facts for Fife
| Part of speech | noun, verb, numeral |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | //ˈfaɪf// |
| Syllables | 1 |
| Plural | fifes |
| Verb forms | fifes, fifing, fifed |
Fife Definition (Noun)
- A small shrill pipe, resembling the piccolo flute, used chiefly to accompany the drum in military music
Fife as a Verb
- To play this instrument.
Fife as a Numeral
- Used instead of five in radio communications to avoid confusion.
Synonyms of Fife
The source does not list synonyms for this entry.
Fife synonyms and antonyms →Antonyms of Fife
No antonyms or near antonyms are listed by the available sources for this entry.
Fife in a Sentence
No example sentences are available for this entry.
Word Forms & Grammar
fife (plural fifes)
fife (third-person singular simple present fifes, present participle fifing, simple past and past participle fifed)
fife
Words That Rhyme With Fife
Origin of Fife
From German Pfeife (“whistle, smoking pipe”). Doublet of pipe.
How to Pronounce Fife
You say fife as //ˈfaɪf//. It has 1 syllable.
Common Questions About Fife
Is fife a noun or a verb?
Fife is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb and a numeral.
What is the plural of fife?
The plural of fife is fifes.
What is the past tense of fife?
The past tense of fife is fifed. The present participle is fifing.