Fourth wall Meaning in English
expression
Definition
In theater, film, or television, the 'fourth wall' is the imaginary wall between the performers and the audience. When someone 'breaks the fourth wall', they address the audience directly or acknowledge they are in a show.
Usage & Nuances
The term is mostly used in theater, film, and TV analysis, but can also apply to literature and video games. 'Breaking the fourth wall' is usually surprising or humorous, making the audience aware they are watching fiction. Rarely used outside of artistic/creative contexts.
Example Sentences
Some movies break the fourth wall to be funny.
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In theater, the fourth wall is imaginary, but actors pretend it is real.
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When the character winked at us, she totally shattered the fourth wall.
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That joke where the actor talked to the audience was a clever use of the fourth wall.
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Deadpool is famous for constantly breaking the fourth wall.
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The actor looked at the camera and broke the fourth wall.
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