Fourth

/fɔːrθ/

Meaning & Definition

noun
the person or thing in the fourth position.
The fourth of the group was the most outspoken.
one of four equal parts.
He divided the cake into fourths to share with his friends.
adjective
constituting number four in a sequence; the ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number four.
She finished in fourth place in the race.
being one of four equal parts.
He drank a fourth of the bottle before realizing it was empty.

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English 'fēorða', related to the number four.

Common Phrases and Expressions

fourth wall
A metaphorical wall between the actors in a performance and the audience.
fourth of July
A national holiday in the United States celebrating independence.
fourth estate
The press or media, regarded as a significant player in politics.

Related Words

fourthly
Adverb form of fourth, indicating the fourth point in a sequence.
fourthness
The state or quality of being fourth.

Slang Meanings

Slang used to refer to a fourth of something, often in a casual context.
I only got a fourth of the slice left.
Informal reference to the fourth member in a group.
He's the fourth wheel in that relationship.