f

1 of 4

noun

ˈef 

plural f's or fs ˈefs 

often capitalized, often attributive

1

a

: the 6th letter of the English alphabet

b

: a graphic representation of this letter

c

: a speech counterpart of orthographic f

2

: the fourth tone of a C-major scale

3

: a graphic device for reproducing the letter f

4

: one designated f especially as the sixth in order or class

5

a

: a grade rating a student's work as failing

b

: one graded or rated with an F

6

: something shaped like the letter F

f

2 of 4

abbreviation (1)

1

failure

2

false

3

family

4

faraday

5

feast

6

female

7

feminine

8

femto-

9

fermi

10

fine

11

finish

12

fluid; fluidness

13

focal length

14

folio

15

[following] and the following one

16

force

17

forte

18

fragile

19

frequency

20

from

21

full

F

3 of 4

abbreviation (2)

1

Fahrenheit

2

farad

3

French

4

Friday

F

4 of 4

symbol

fluorine

Examples of f in a Sentence

Noun

The word “foot” begins with an f.

The word “foot” begins with f.

I got an F on the test.

Abbreviation (2)

Water freezes at 32 degrees F.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In my case, market research and focus groups had narrowed the list down to a single, four-letter f-word: fine. —Joseph Lezza, Longreads, 30 Mar. 2023

Members of the media who invoke that particular f-word do so at grave risk to their press passes. —John Guaspari, National Review, 26 Sep. 2021

Frost became an f-word in the 2000s, when everyone gravitated towards dewy or cream textures. —Tiffany Dodson, Harper's BAZAAR, 28 July 2022

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing f

• f-bomb
• f-number
• f-stop

• f-bomb
• f-number
• f-stop

Kids Definition

f

noun

ˈef

plural f's or fs

often capitalized

1

: the sixth letter of the English alphabet

2

: a musical note referred to by the letter F : the fourth tone of a C-major scale

3

: a grade rating a student's work as failing

Medical Definition

f

1 of 4 abbreviation

1

farad

2

father

3

female

4

foot

5

formula

f

2 of 4 symbol

1

faraday

2

focal length

3

function

F

3 of 4 abbreviation

1

Fahrenheit

2

French

F

4 of 4 symbol

fluorine