fourth - Master This Word

fourth Word Meanings

• the number after third
• one of four equal parts
• in a series, the position after third

fourth Example Sentences

Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.

• My birthday is on the fourth of July.
• She finished fourth in the race.
• There are four cards and the fourth one is red.
• I read the fourth book in the series.
• The fourth child is my little brother.

fourth Word Etymology

fourth = four + -th (denotes ordinal number), Origin: Old English 'fēorða' from Proto-Germanic *fedwô + related to Latin 'quattuor', Memory image: Imagine a cake cut into four equal pieces, with one piece highlighted as the 'fourth' slice.

English Brain Route

I pick up a small stack, push one card forward, keeping the stack steady as I slide a marker along the line. I move my attention to the row and adjust its place until it sits right after the third. A breath, a small turn of the wrist, and I let the next spot settle under my finger. Sorting things this way makes the rhythm feel real, and the fourth position simply comes into view as I go.

Real Context

Fourth is the ordinal form of the number four. It marks the position after the third item in a sequence, such as first, second, third, and then fourth. It also refers to one of four equal parts of a whole, for example a cake divided into four equal pieces and the fourth piece is the one you take. In everyday usage, fourth can describe an order in a list, a place in a competition, or a segment of time like the fourth quarter. The spelling and pronunciation are straightforward: add -th to four, yielding fourth. Remember that irregular ordinal forms exist in English, but fourth follows the regular pattern in this case. Memory image: imagine the fourth slice highlighted.

Usage Reminders

• Use fourth for the position after the third in a sequence. Mention the ordinal form when listing items. Distinguish between fourth and other ordinal forms like fifth. When talking about time, fourth quarter is common in sports and business. Keep the pronunciation in mind: /fɔːrθ/. Practice with a short list: first, second, third, fourth. Avoid mixing up cardinal and ordinal forms in explanations.

Common Misconceptions

• Fourth is not the same as four when describing a sequence; use fourth for order, four as a cardinal number.
• People sometimes say 'for-th' as a phonetic guess; it is pronounced like 'fourth', not 'for-th'.
• Think 'fourth' always means 1/4; it can also refer to the fourth item in a list, not just a fraction.
• Some learners confuse 'fourth' with 'fourthly' which is less common in modern usage.
• Mixing up 'fourth' with 'fourth edition' can lead to awkward phrasing in narratives.

Thinking Differences

English encodes order with explicit ordinal endings (first, second, third, fourth), which learners often memorize as a fixed pattern, but must watch for irregulars like 'fifth' or 'fifth' vs 'five' in compounds. Learners tend to overgeneralize or misplace -th, and confuse cardinal vs ordinal usage in lists or time references.

Learning Tips

• Build a mental image for each ordinal (first, second, third, fourth).
• Practice with lists in different contexts (race results, chapters, time periods).
• Notice collocations like 'in the fourth place' or 'the fourth quarter'.
• Record yourself saying the ordinal and compare to a native speaker.
• Listen for and correct overgeneralizations like adding -s to ordinals.
• Use flashcards with both spelling and pronunciation cues.

5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English

Related Listening

🔥 Advanced

🔥 Advanced

Office Reconfiguration Meeting

Workplace Meeting

2026.03.29 · 1:04 · B2 · IELTS · Dialogue

Listen Now