What does foursome mean?
A foursome is simply a group of four people or things considered together, though in practice the word almost always refers to people — four friends dining out, four bridge players at a table, or, most famously, four golfers sharing a round. The word carries an easygoing, sociable connotation; calling a gathering 'our usual foursome' implies familiarity and regular company rather than formality. Golf gives the term a second, more technical life: in 'foursomes' play, two pairs compete and partners alternate striking a single ball, a format familiar from the Ryder Cup. The name descends from the old English suffix '-some', meaning 'a group of', the same root behind 'twosome' and 'threesome'. Compact and instantly understood, 'foursome' is a handy word whenever four individuals act, play, or travel as one unit.
nounA group or set of four people or things, especially a social or sporting grouping such as four golfers playing together.
- A set of four people, especially playing golf together or socializing as a group.
- A set of four things or items considered together.
"The foursome teed off just after sunrise, their carts trailing down the first fairway."
"Our usual foursome meets every Thursday for bridge and gossip."
"In foursomes play, partners alternate hitting the same ball."
Standard plural; used when referring to multiple groups of four.
"Two foursomes occupied the course that Saturday morning."
That '-some' ending doesn't mean what you think — in 'foursome' it's an ancient English suffix meaning 'a group of', which is why 'handsome' literally once meant 'easy to handle'.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of foursome
Foursome is formed from the number 'four' combined with the suffix '-some', an Old English element ('-sum') meaning 'characterized by' or 'a group of'. This same native English suffix produced kindred group-words such as 'twosome' and 'threesome', as well as unrelated-seeming terms like 'handsome' and 'winsome'. The compound emerged in English several centuries ago as part of this family of numerical groupings, and its strong association with golf developed later, as the sport codified alternate-shot 'foursomes' as an official match format.
How foursome is actually used
Foursome is informal to neutral in register and carries friendly, recreational connotations, most often associated with golf and card games. In golf terminology it also has a specific technical meaning: a match format in which two pairs compete and partners alternate strokes with a single ball.
Easily confused with foursome
Fourscore is the number eighty, while a foursome is a group of four people or things.