Oxford Dictionary 4 Info
“A free and independent fourth estate is essential to democracy.”
“What is said within these four walls stays here.” oxford dictionary 4
Used to indicate privacy, confidentiality, or the intimate space of one’s own home or a specific room. “A free and independent fourth estate is essential
And that, dear reader, is something to write home about. Enjoy this post? Subscribe to the Oxford Languages newsletter for more word stories, grammar deep-dives, and writing advice. Subscribe to the Oxford Languages newsletter for more
And then there is .
So the next time you write the numeral 4 or spell out f-o-u-r , pause for a moment. You are not just counting. You are tapping into centuries of human expression—from ancient cardinal points to modern courtrooms.
Calling a reporter part of the Fourth Estate immediately elevates their role. Use this term when discussing media ethics, political accountability, or the philosophy of journalism. It carries weight that “the news” simply does not. Quick Usage Table: Four vs. Fourth vs. *Four- | Form | Part of Speech | Example | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Four | Number (noun/adj) | Four people arrived. | | Fourth | Ordinal number | She was the fourth to speak. | | Four- | Combining form | Four-legged animal; four-door sedan. | A Final Word from the Editors The number four may be small, but it is mighty. It gives us the structure of a team ( a four-piece band ), the shape of a box ( four-square ), and the rhythm of music ( four-four time ).