f f 1 or F (ĕf) n. pl. f's or F's also fs or Fs 1. The sixth letter of the modern English alphabet. 2. Any of the speech sounds represented by the letter f. 3. The sixth in a series. 4. Something shaped like the letter F. 5. F A grade that indicates failing status. 6. Music a. The fourth tone in the scale of C major or the sixth tone in the relative minor scale. b. A key or scale in which F is the tonic. c. A written or printed note representing this tone. d. A string, key, or pipe tuned to the pitch of this tone.