411

American  

[fawr-wuhn-wuhn] / ˈfɔrˌwʌnˈwʌn /

Or 4-1-1

1. a telephone number for directory information.

2. Informal. the 411, information or knowledge, usually about an event or activity and acquired by oral communication.

   Here's the 411 on tomorrow night's party.

   Planning for Spring Break in Cabo—what's the 411?"

---

Etymology

Origin of 411

First recorded in 1930–35 411 for def. 1, and in 1980–85 411 for def. 2

Example Sentences

Some 411 tankers are currently stuck in the Persian Gulf, according to global trade data analytics firm Kpler.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 6, 2026

In the first half of 2025, only 411 legal abortions took place, according to the NFZ.

From Barron's • Mar. 3, 2026

Tech giants such as Amazon.com, Google and Microsoft operate 522 data centers and have an additional 411 data centers in development, according to Synergy Research Group.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 30, 2025

There were 411 deaths recorded in the year to September, up 30% from the 317 deaths in 2024, and the highest number since current data began in 2020, according to the MoJ.

From BBC • Oct. 30, 2025

Grandma has gotten all in Kayla’s business while Trey was upstairs and gives us the 411.

From "On the Come Up" by Angie Thomas