411

proper noun

The telephonic information service.

“Guess what! I have the 411 on Nick and Judy's breakup.”

Ask AI about this wordChatGPTClaudePerplexityGoogle AIGrok

Meanings

proper noun

alternative 4-1-1

  1. CanadaUScommunicationsThe telephonic information service.
noun

alternative 4-1-1

  1. figurativelyslangThe latest scoop, information or news.

    Guess what! I have the 411 on Nick and Judy's breakup.

    2 more examples

    She was the 411 person in the family, she can be reached at any hour and any day and give you the information needed.

    2010, Lashonda Johnson, Family Gumbo, page 11

    A lot of info, I know. But don’t worry, I tested it out on my acne-prone skin so you know the full 411.

    2024 September 24, Beth Gillette, “I Tested Apostrophe, and I’ll Never Get Acne Meds From My Derm’s Office Again”, in Cosmopolitan, archived from the original on 24 Sep 2024

Origin

Based on the telephone number used in North America to obtain telephone numbers of listed subscribers.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

French 411
  • 411telephone information service number
Spanish 411
  • 411telephone information service number
Cite this entry
APA

411. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/411

MLA

“411.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/411. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “411,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/411.

Source: 411 on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.