4 Meaning and Definition
4
Pronunciation
Number Four
Part of Speech
Number
Definition
A number in the numerical system that comes after three and before five, used for counting and arithmetic operations.
Examples
- She ate four apples in one sitting.
- The house had four bedrooms and three bathrooms.
Synonyms
- Quadruplet
- Foursome
Antonyms
- One
Additional Information
Four is considered an unlucky number in many East Asian cultures. It is pronounced similarly to the word for death in many languages. On the other hand, the number four has numerous cultural associations, representing stability, balance, and order.
In mathematics, the number four is a composite number, composed of the product of the prime numbers 2 x 2. The number has played a crucial role in the development of mathematics and geometry, with the discovery of the Pythagorean theorem relying on the properties of four-sided shapes.
In entertainment, the number four is often referenced in song and movie titles. It can be seen in titles such as Four Weddings and a Funeral, or songs like Four Seasons in One Day.
Eymology
The word four comes from Old English “fēower,” which also influenced the modern Germanic languages.
Usage Notes
Four can be used as a counting number in various contexts, including arithmetic and measurement. It can also be used as an adjective to describe objects or concepts with the property of being one of four.
Cultural References
Four has appeared as a significant number in the title of numerous films, such as Four Brothers, and television shows like The Four.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- Four Seasons: refers to the distinct seasons in the calendar year.
- On all fours: an expression for crawling on hands and knees.
Related Words or Phrases
- Quartic: referring to something related to the number four.
- Quadruplets: babies born as the fourth in a set of siblings.
Collocations
- Four wheel drive
- Four score and seven years
Frequency of Use
Four is widely used in both formal and informal contexts, making it one of the more commonly encountered numbers in everyday language.
Common Misspellings
- Fore
- For