four
for
Four (num) means the number 4, one more than three. Example: “There are four seasons in a year.”
num
1
The number 4, one more than three.
"There are four seasons in a year."
"A table with four legs is usually steadier than a stool."
"We waited four hours at the station for the next train."
noun
1
The digit or figure 4.
"He drew a big four on the whiteboard."
"The number on her door was a faded four."
"Write a four at the top of the page, please."
How to use four
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe number after three and before five.
Common pairings
four o'clock
a group of four
on all fours
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Word forms
- Plural
- fours
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There are _____ seasons in a year.
Etymology
From Old English feower, from Proto-Germanic fedwor, tracing back to the ancient Proto-Indo-European word for the number four.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for four
See all rhymes for four →Frequently asked questions
What does “four” mean?
The word “four” means the number 4, one more than three. In plain terms, the number after three and before five.
How do you pronounce “four”?
“Four” is pronounced for (/foɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “four” in a sentence?
Here is “four” used in a sentence: “There are four seasons in a year.”
What part of speech is “four”?
Depending on how it is used, “four” can be a num and a noun.
Where does the word “four” come from?
The word “four” comes from Old English. From Old English feower, from Proto-Germanic fedwor, tracing back to the ancient Proto-Indo-European word for the number four.
Is “four” a common word?
“Four” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “four” have?
“Four” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the number 4, one more than three.
What is the difference between 'four', 'for', and 'fore'?
They sound alike but differ completely. 'Four' is the number 4. 'For' is a preposition showing purpose or recipient: 'a gift for you.' 'Fore' means the front, as in 'to the fore' or the golfer's warning 'fore!' Only 'four' refers to the quantity.
How do you spell and write the number four?
The word is spelled f-o-u-r, and the digit is 4. Its ordinal form, marking position in a sequence, is 'fourth,' spelled with the u. Note that the related word 'forty' drops the u, a common spelling trip-up that 'fourteen' does not share.
Is four an even number?
Yes. Four is even because it divides exactly by two. It is also the smallest composite number, having factors beyond one and itself, and the first perfect square after one, since two times two equals four. These traits make it a common building block in mathematics.
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