411
American-
a telephone number for directory information.
-
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
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
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
