petit four

noun

pe·​tit four ˌpe-tē-ˈfȯr How to pronounce petit four (audio)
pə-ˌtē-, 
-ˈfu̇r How to pronounce petit four (audio)
plural petits fours or petit fours ˌpe-tē-ˈfȯrz How to pronounce petit four (audio)
pə-ˌtē-, 
-ˈfu̇r(z)
: a small cake cut from pound or sponge cake and frosted

Examples of petit four in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Make it as a sheet cake and frost with lemon cream cheese frosting, then cut the cake into single-serving petits fours. — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 1 May 2026 Each guest also took home a petit four of Camp Lucy’s famous Texas honey cake. — Emily Strohm, Peoplemag, 25 Sep. 2023 The final course is a petit four like a butter caramel made from the scraps of the butter leftover from making other pastries. — Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 19 Dec. 2024 It will be presented alongside a lavender shortbread, chocolate raspberry tartlet and rose petal petit four. — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2024 See All Example Sentences for petit four

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, small oven

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of petit four was in 1875

Rhymes for petit four

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Browse Nearby Words

petites perceptions
petit four
petitgrain
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Cite this Entry

“Petit four.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/petit%20four. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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