petit four

noun

pe·​tit four ˌpe-tē-ˈfȯr 

pə-ˌtē-, 

-ˈfu̇r 

plural petits fours or petit fours ˌpe-tē-ˈfȯrz 

pə-ˌtē-, 

-ˈfu̇r(z)

: a small cake cut from pound or sponge cake and frosted

Examples of petit four in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Teacups and saucers make petite stands ideal for small items such as jewelry, while dinner and salad plates work well for culinary uses, such as serving cookies or petit fours at a party. — Jennifer Bradley Franklin, Southern Living, 7 Nov. 2026

Throughout the flight, premium economy passengers have access to substantial snacks like petit fours or cup-style noodles usually reserved for business class only. — Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Aug. 2026

Instead, it was followed by a final bite in the form of a single petit four featuring the menu’s only evident inclusion of chocolate. — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 10 May 2026

Traditional pumpkin pie, cheesecake, petit fours, and cannoli finish the meal. — Elaine Rewolinski, jsonline.com, 3 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, small oven

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for petit four

• albacore
• alongshore
• antiwar
• anymore
• carnivore
• commodore
• dinosaur
• evermore
• furthermore
• guarantor
• herbivore
• heretofore

Video

How to Read a French Menu

Kids Definition

petit four

noun

pe·​tit four ˌpet-ē-ˈfō(ə)r  -ˈfȯ(ə)r 

plural petits fours or petit fours -ē-ˈfō(ə)rz 

-ˈfȯ(ə)rz

: a small frosted cake