fourth wall

American  

[fawrth wawl] / ˈfɔrθ ˈwɔl /

noun

1. the imaginary, invisible wall, as across the front of a stage, that separates the world constructed by a play, movie, television show, video game, or literary work from the actual world inhabited by the audience.

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idioms

1. break the fourth wall, to violate the conventional separation between the world of a play, movie, television show, video game, or literary work and the world inhabited by the viewer.

   The actor’s periodic asides to the audience break the fourth wall and elicit much-needed laughs.

Etymology

Origin of fourth wall

First recorded in 1800–10

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

fourth wall

Or again, this time straying further into Bridgerton territory, the narrator breaks the fourth wall to tease, “I know, dear Reader, that you are taken aback.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 26, 2026

This playfully theatrical work routinely breaks the fourth wall to raise questions about the ethics of the dramatic project underway.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 5, 2026

It helps that the play’s script allows its actors to break the fourth wall and improvise dialogue that more closely speaks to the audience’s present moment.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 23, 2026

Some of those very special appearances were designed to crack the fourth wall, as when the star’s very famous love or spouse drops by to play against type.

From Salon ● Dec. 21, 2025

The fourth wall must back on the bedrooms, Milkman thought.

From "Song of Solomon" by Toni Morrison