What does quint mean?
A quint is a group of five, most often a team of five players in a sport such as rugby or basketball. The word can also denote a fifth-place finisher or fifth-ranked team, especially in North American usage, and “the Quint” is a familiar name for the leading five races in the American Triple Crown. In adjectival use, quint means fifth in a series. Although the word is understood in both British and American English, its use is concentrated in sporting and racing contexts. It should not be confused with a quintet, which usually refers specifically to five musicians or to music arranged for five performers. For ordinary, non-specialist prose, “group of five” or “fifth” will often be clearer.
A group, team, or set consisting of five members.
"The club's quint trained together before the tournament."
Common in sports usage, especially for a team of five players.
A fifth-place finisher or fifth-ranked competitor in a series.
"The stable had a quint in the standings after the final race."
This sense is more common in North American English, especially in racing and sports.
Fifth in a sequence or series.
"The horse secured its quint title."
Chiefly a North American sports or racing usage and less common in general English.
The plural denotes multiple groups or teams of five; it can also refer to multiple competitors in fifth place.
"The two quints met for the opening game of the season."
A quint brings together five, from a five-player side to the five leading contenders in a major American horse-racing series.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of quint
The word comes through French from Latin, where the feminine form quinte represented the ordinal meaning “fifth.” Its ultimate source is the Latin numeral quinque, meaning “five,” which also underlies words such as quinquennial and quinquefoil. The development from “fifth” to a name for a set of five reflects the English word’s use for groups containing five members.
How quint is actually used
The noun is especially associated with sports, particularly rugby and basketball, while the “fifth in a series” sense is more common in North American usage. The adjective is uncommon outside North American sports and racing contexts. In general prose, “group of five” or “fifth” may sound more natural.
Easily confused with quint
A quint is a group or team of five, whereas a quintet more often refers to five musicians or a composition written for five performers.