petit four

noun

pe·​tit four ˌpe-tē-ˈfȯr 

pə-ˌtē-,

-ˈfu̇r 

plural petits fours or petit fours ˌpe-tē-ˈfȯrz 

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

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

The Bye-Ku. Carbo-load bonbons Less a pleasure to eat in Your own petit four *** Have your own newsy haiku? —Drew Goins, Washington Post, 25 June 2024

Each guest also took home a petit four of Camp Lucy’s famous Texas honey cake. —Emily Strohm, Peoplemag, 25 Sep. 2023

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, small oven

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

petit four

noun

pe·​tit four ˌpet-ē-ˈfō(ə)r  -ˈfȯ(ə)r 

plural petits fours or petit fours -ē-ˈfō(ə)rz 

-ˈfȯ(ə)rz

: a small frosted cake