four

noun

ˈfȯr 

1

: a number that is one more than three see Table of Numbers

2

: the fourth in a set or series

the four of hearts

3

: something having four units or members: such as

a

: a 4-oared racing shell or its crew

b

: a 4-cylinder engine or automobile

four adjective

four pronoun, plural in construction

Examples of four in a Sentence

“What time is it?” “It's four.”

I leave each day at four.

Recent Examples on the Web

Jurel hit five sixes and five fours. —ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026

In the short term, the Bulls are comfortable playing Buzelis as a three on offense to accommodate for his relative lack of strength against defensive fours and fives. —Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026

Meanwhile, Orlando saw Jalen Suggs miss his first fours 3s and the team overall go 5 for 20 (25%) in the opening half. —Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2026

Clayton Keller, Nick Schmaltz, Dylan Guenther and Logan Cooley don’t stack up well enough yet to other big fours. —Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from four adjective, from Old English fēower; akin to Old High German fior four, Latin quattuor, Greek tessares, tettares

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing four

• four-bagger
• four-ball
• four-by-four
• four-dimensional
• four-eyed
• four-flush
• four-footed
• four-hand
• four-handed
• four-in-hand
• four-leaf clover
• four-letter
• four-letter word
• four-o'clock
• four of a kind
• four-peat
• four-poster
• four square
• four-star
• four-way
• four-wheel
• four-wheel drive
• four-wheeled
• four-wheeler
• four-wing saltbush
• from the four corners of the earth
• hit the big four-oh
• petit four
• these four walls
• twenty-four hours a day
• twenty-four seven
• two-by-four

Rhymes for four

• boar
• boer
• bore
• chore
• cor
• core
• corps
• crore
• door
• drawer
• floor
• flor

Kids Definition

four

noun

ˈfō(ə)r 

ˈfȯ(ə)r

1

: a number that is one more than three see number

2

: the fourth in a set or series

3

: something having four units or members

four adjective or pronoun