Part of Speech

Adjective, Noun

Pronunciation

/fɔːr/

Definitions

Adjective:
1. The number following three and preceding five.
Noun:
2. The number 4, represented in numerals as 4.
3. A set or group of four things.

Usage Examples

1. There are four chairs in the room.
2. The team is made up of four players.
3. She bought four apples at the market.
4. Four is an even number.

Etymology

The word "four" comes from Old English "fēower," which is derived from Proto-Germanic "*fedwōr," and from Proto-Indo-European "*kwetwer." The number has cognates in other Indo-European languages, such as Latin "quattuor" and Greek "τέσσαρα" (téssara).

Synonyms

1. Quadruple
2. Fourfold
3. Quartet (in reference to a group of four)

Antonyms

1. One
2. Three
3. Five
4. Six

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

The pronunciation of "four" may vary slightly depending on regional accents, particularly in English-speaking countries. For example, in some American dialects, the "r" sound may be less pronounced, while in British English, the "r" sound is typically more noticeable.

Historical Usage

The word "four" has been in use since Old English, originating from the Proto-Germanic "*fedwōr," and it has cognates in many Indo-European languages. It is one of the oldest numerical terms still in use today, having been adopted for both mathematical and symbolic purposes throughout human history.

Cultural Nuances

The number four holds various cultural meanings across different societies. In Chinese culture, the number four is considered unlucky because it sounds like the word for "death." In Western cultures, four is often seen as a symbol of stability and balance, as it represents the four cardinal directions, four seasons, and the four elements.

More Information

The number four is integral to both daily life and abstract thinking. In mathematics, four is the first composite number and the smallest square number (2 × 2). It also holds significance in geometry as the number of sides in a square, one of the most fundamental shapes. In addition to its mathematical and symbolic uses, four is also a common number in various cultural and religious contexts.