fifty-fifty
|fif/ty/fif/ty|
/ˌfɪftiˈfɪfti/
equal split / equal chance
Etymology
'fifty-fifty' originates from English, specifically the word 'fifty' (from Old English 'fifftig'), where 'fifftig' meant 'fifty'.
'fifty' changed from Old English 'fifftig' into Middle English 'fifty'; the compound 'fifty-fifty' is a modern English reduplication formed to indicate equality or a 50/50 division or chance.
Initially it could refer literally to two lots of fifty; over time it evolved to mean 'an equal division' or 'an even (50/50) chance' in general usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an equal division or arrangement in which two parties each receive 50%; also used informally to mean a 50% chance.
The deal was a fifty-fifty: each partner got 50%.
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Adjective 1
divided equally; shared or allocated in equal parts (half and half).
They agreed on a fifty-fifty split of the profits.
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Last updated: 2025/08/16 17:51