noun

le four

oven

Appareil fermé qui chauffe pour cuire des aliments ou les réchauffer.

Definition & meaning

The French word four refers to:

Oven: A household or industrial appliance used for baking, roasting, or heating food.
Kiln: A furnace or oven used for hardening, burning, or drying substances such as pottery, bricks, or cement.
Figurative use: In a metaphorical sense, the expression aller au four or being in a hot place can refer to a situation of intense activity or pressure.

Grammar & Word origin

Grammar: It is a masculine noun (le four). The plural form is fours.
Origin: It originates from the Latin word furnus, which also translates to "oven" or "furnace." It has been present in the French language since the early Middle Ages.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

Étuve : A heated chamber or stove.
Fourneau : Often used to refer to a kitchen stove or a heating apparatus.
Foyer : Can refer to a hearth or the place where a fire is maintained.
Crématoire : Specifically used in the context of an oven for cremation.

Antonyms: There are no direct antonyms for a physical object like an oven, though conceptually, one might contrast it with a réfrigérateur (refrigerator) when discussing kitchen appliances for temperature control.