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Four: meaning, definitions and examples

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four

 

[fɔːr ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

number

The number four is the number that comes after three and before five. It is an even number and is considered lucky in many cultures. In numerology, four is associated with stability, order, and practicality.

Synonyms

quadruple, quartet, tetrad.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
four

Refers to the number on a playing card, in sports or games.

  • He drew a four of hearts.
  • She scored a four in her last turn.
quadruple

Used when something is multiplied by four, often in mathematical or business contexts.

  • The company's profits quadrupled this year.
  • She cut the recipe into quadruple portions.
tetrad

A more scientific or academic term, often used in biology or mathematics.

  • In biology, a tetrad refers to a group of four chromatids.
  • A tetrad of points formed a perfect square.
quartet

Used specifically for a group of four people, usually musicians or singers.

  • The string quartet played beautifully.
  • A jazz quartet performed at the event.

Examples of usage

  • The clock struck four.
  • She has four siblings.
  • There are four seasons in a year.
Context #2 | Noun

cardinal

Four is also a cardinal number used to denote quantity. It is commonly used in counting, ranking, and measuring.

Synonyms

quartet, tetrade.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
four

Used in everyday conversation and basic counting.

  • There are four apples on the table.
  • I have four siblings.
quartet

Commonly used in music or groups, particularly referring to a group of four performers.

  • The string quartet gave a beautiful performance.
  • We formed a quartet for the talent show.
tetrade

Typically used in scientific or technical contexts, often in biology or chemistry.

  • A tetrade of cells was observed under the microscope.
  • The molecule forms a tetrade structure.

Examples of usage

  • There are four chairs in the room.
  • She scored four goals in the match.
Context #3 | Noun

music

In music, a four is a group of four beats in a measure. It is a common time signature in music notation.

Synonyms

quadruple, tetrachord.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
four

This is a basic numerical term used to describe the quantity of four items or units.

  • I have four apples
  • There are four chairs at the table
quadruple

This word is used to describe something that has been multiplied by four or something that appears in sets of four.

  • The company's profits have quadrupled this year
  • We ordered a quadruple portion of fries
tetrachord

This term is specific to music theory, referring to a series of four notes separated by three intervals.

  • The musician practiced the tetrachord scale on his instrument
  • Greek music theory often references the use of the tetrachord

Examples of usage

  • The song is in four-four time.
  • The drummer counted four beats before starting.

Translations

Translations of the word "four" in other languages:

🇵🇹 quatro

🇮🇳 चार

🇩🇪 vier

🇮🇩 empat

🇺🇦 чотири

🇵🇱 cztery

🇯🇵 四 (よん/し)

🇫🇷 quatre

🇪🇸 cuatro

🇹🇷 dört

🇰🇷 넷 (넷)

🇸🇦 أربعة

🇨🇿 čtyři

🇸🇰 štyri

🇨🇳 四 (sì)

🇸🇮 štiri

🇮🇸 fjögur

🇰🇿 төрт

🇬🇪 ოთხი

🇦🇿 dörd

🇲🇽 cuatro

Etymology

The word 'four' can be traced back to Old English 'feower', which is related to Old High German 'fior', Old Norse 'fjorir', and Gothic 'fidwor'. These Indo-European roots suggest a common origin for the word across various Germanic languages. The number four has been significant in many cultures and traditions, representing completeness, stability, and balance.

See also: fourfold, foursome, fourteen, fourth.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #184, this word is extremely common in English. It's a crucial part of basic vocabulary that's used constantly in both spoken and written communication, making it essential for even basic conversations.