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

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

Make it as a sheet cake and frost with lemon cream cheese frosting, then cut the cake into single-serving petits fours. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 1 May 2026

Food and drink Dainty petit fours and excellent cappuccinos are served in the lounge and library, but the dining scene centers around that rooftop restaurant. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Apr. 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

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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