If you have ever paused mid-sentence to ask what comes after thrice, you are in very good company — this tiny gap in English trips up native speakers and learners alike. We say “once, twice, thrice,” and then the neat little pattern simply stops. In this guide we answer the question directly, explain the surprising history behind it, and give you clear, natural ways to keep counting past three.
What Comes After Thrice? The Short Answer
Here is the honest truth: in standard modern English, nothing single word comes after thrice. There is no universally accepted term like “frice” or “quarce.” Instead, English speakers switch to the phrase “four times.”
So the sequence looks like this: once, twice, thrice, and then four times, five times, six times, and onward. The one-word streak breaks after three, and that is completely correct usage.
According to Merriam-Webster, “thrice” itself is now considered somewhat literary or old-fashioned, which is another reason the pattern never extended further.
Once, Twice, Thrice: Where the Pattern Comes From
These three words are called multiplicative adverbs — they tell you how many times something happens. Their roots reach back over a thousand years into Old English.
- Once — from Old English ānes, meaning “one time.”
- Twice — from twiges, meaning “two times.”
- Thrice — from thriges, meaning “three times.”
Each ended in an -s sound that later became the “-ce” spelling we know today. You can explore the wider family of English number words on Wikipedia’s English numerals page.
Crucially, this special form only ever existed for one, two, and three. Old English never built a matching word for four, so there was nothing to inherit. That historical dead end is exactly why the question what comes after thrice has no tidy answer.
Why There’s No Single Word for “Four Times”
Over the centuries, playful writers and puzzle fans have invented candidates. None of them made it into dictionaries. Here is a quick reality check on the words people often propose.
| Invented word | Intended meaning | Real status |
|---|---|---|
| Frice | Four times | Not a real word |
| Quarce / Quarice | Four times | Not a real word |
| Fourice | Four times | Not a real word |
| Quince | Five times | Only means a fruit |
If you use any of these in an essay, an email, or a conversation, most people will simply be confused. Stick with “four times” and you will always sound correct and natural.
How to Count Repetitions Clearly in Modern English
Once you pass three, English uses a reliable formula: the number plus the word times. This scales infinitely and never sounds strange.
| Repetitions | Traditional form | Everyday form |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Once | One time |
| 2 | Twice | Two times |
| 3 | Thrice | Three times |
| 4 | — | Four times |
| 5 | — | Five times |
| 10 | — | Ten times |
Notice that “one time,” “two times,” and “three times” are all perfectly acceptable too. In fact, most casual American English speakers prefer “three times” over the more formal “thrice.”
When to Use Once, Twice, and Thrice
Reach for the single-word forms when you want a slightly formal, rhythmic, or literary tone. “Twice” is extremely common in daily speech. “Thrice,” however, feels old-fashioned and appears mostly in idioms, poetry, or British English.
When to Switch to “Times”
For any number above three — and for precise, modern, or professional writing — use the “number + times” pattern. It is the answer to what comes after thrice that every English teacher will accept without hesitation.
Multiplicative Adverbs vs. Frequency Adverbs
Learners often mix up these two groups. Multiplicative adverbs count exact repetitions. Frequency adverbs describe how regularly something happens, without a fixed number.
- Multiplicative: once, twice, thrice, four times, ten times.
- Frequency: always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never.
For example, “I visit my grandparents twice a month” combines both ideas — an exact count (“twice”) within a repeating period (“a month”). Understanding this difference sharpens both your grammar and your fluency, a skill our tutors focus on in every lesson at The Cognitio.
Real Examples in Everyday English
Seeing the words in action makes the rule stick. Below are natural sentences that show the shift from single words to the “times” pattern.
- She has read that novel thrice, but her brother has read it four times.
- Measure twice, cut once — the classic woodworking rule.
- The medicine is taken three times a day, not thrice a day, on the label.
- Our team has won the championship five times in a decade.
- He knocked twice, waited, then knocked a further three times.
Notice how effortlessly “four times” and “five times” slot in where a single word might feel forced. That flexibility is the real answer to what comes after thrice in living, spoken English.
A Practical Tip From Our Tutors
When speaking, default to “three times” instead of “thrice” unless you are quoting an idiom. It sounds more current and prevents listeners from doing a double-take. For structured practice, our language learning blog breaks down dozens of similar quirks that textbooks skip.
Frequently Asked Questions
What comes after thrice in English?
Nothing single word does. After once, twice, and thrice, English uses “four times,” then “five times,” and so on. Words like “frice” or “quarce” are internet myths and are not found in any dictionary.
Is “thrice” still used today?
Yes, but sparingly. “Thrice” is grammatically correct and understood, yet it sounds formal or literary. In everyday conversation, most speakers say “three times” instead, especially in American English.
Can I say “one time” and “two times” instead of once and twice?
Absolutely. “One time” and “two times” are correct and common, particularly in casual speech. “Once” and “twice” are simply the more traditional, compact versions of the same idea.
Why did English stop at thrice?
The pattern comes from Old English, which only created these special forms for one, two, and three. No equivalent word for four was ever built, so the sequence naturally ended — and no later word filled the gap.
The Bottom Line
So the next time someone asks you what comes after thrice, you can answer with confidence: there is no fourth magic word — you simply say “four times.” Once, twice, and thrice are charming historical leftovers, while “number + times” is the clear, flexible system that carries you to infinity.
Ready to master these small but powerful details of English? Book a friendly, expert language tutor with The Cognitio and turn tricky questions like “what comes after thrice” into effortless, natural fluency.