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?"

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Etymology

Origin of 411

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

Example Sentences

Presumably those who do decide to stay in room 411 are hoping that Christie’s literary genius might somehow rub off.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

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

“Let me give u a lil 411 s u won’t get mis guided with the internet,” he wrote, according to the complaint.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 18, 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