English Reference

Word

fours

US/ˈfɔɹz/

UK/fˈɔːz/

Definition

n. a slang term for a specific interest rate or price that ends in four. It is mostly used by people who work in banks or trade stocks.

n. refers to a price, yield, or interest rate ending in the digit four, typically used in the context of basis points or decimal pricing. Common in professional trading environments to simplify verbal communication.

Examples

“The trader shouted that the bond was trading at fours.”

“The desk was quoting the spread at fours, reflecting a slight tightening in the market since the morning session.”

“In the fast-paced environment of the trading floor, shorthand like 'fours' allows market participants to execute orders with minimal verbal friction during periods of high volatility.”

Examples

simple

“The trader shouted that the bond was trading at fours.”

contextual

“The desk was quoting the spread at fours, reflecting a slight tightening in the market since the morning session.”

complex

“In the fast-paced environment of the trading floor, shorthand like 'fours' allows market participants to execute orders with minimal verbal friction during periods of high volatility.”

Usage

Used as a plural noun in financial jargon; typically refers to the final digit of a quote.

Real-World Examples

“The 27-year-old faced just 93 balls, hitting 13 fours.”
Al Jazeera · 20 Aug 2026
“He took 188 balls to reach triple figures, hitting eight fours and a huge six off Lyon.”
Al Jazeera · 14 Aug 2026

Idioms

on all fours — On one's hands and knees.

Domain

Finance

This entry

Level
C2 · Proficiency
Frequency
Frequent
Updated

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