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

One of the most compelling parts of the memoir is when he breaks the fourth wall, narrating letters to individuals from his past.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 30, 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 breaking of the fourth wall has been great,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 14, 2025

Mark Joseph Stern: She’s breaking the fourth wall, which is something judges do only in case of emergency.

From Slate • Oct. 25, 2025

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

From "Song of Solomon" by Toni Morrison