quote

[ kwoht ]

verb (used with object)

, quot·ed, quot·ing.

1. to repeat (a passage, phrase, etc.) from a book, speech, or the like, as by way of authority, illustration, etc.
2. to repeat words from (a book, author, etc.).
3. to use a brief excerpt from:

   The composer quotes Beethoven's Fifth in his latest work.

4. to cite, offer, or bring forward as evidence or support.
5. to enclose (words) within quotation marks.
6. Commerce.
   1. to state (a price).
   2. to state the current price of.

verb (used without object)

, quot·ed, quot·ing.

1. to make a quotation or quotations, as from a book or author.
2. (used by a speaker to indicate the beginning of a quotation. )

noun

1. a quotation.
2. quotation mark.

quote

/ kwəʊt /

verb

1. to recite a quotation (from a book, play, poem, etc), esp as a means of illustrating or supporting a statement
2. tr to put quotation marks round (a word, phrase, etc)
3. stock exchange to state (a current market price) of (a security or commodity)

noun

1. an informal word for quotation quotation quotation quotation
2. often plural an informal word for quotation mark

   put it in quotes

interjection

1. an expression used parenthetically to indicate that the words that follow it form a quotation

   the president said, quote, I shall not run for office in November, unquote

Other Words From

• quoter noun
• outquote verb (used with object) outquoted outquoting
• pre·quote verb (used with object) prequoted prequoting
• re·quote verb (used with object) requoted requoting
• super·quote verb superquoted superquoting noun
• un·quoted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of quote¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; 1880–85 quote fordef 9; Middle English coten, quoten, from Old French coter, from Medieval Latin quotāre “to divide into chapters and verses,” derivative of Latin quot “how many”

Word History and Origins

Origin of quote¹

C14: from Medieval Latin quotāre to assign reference numbers to passages, from Latin quot how many

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. quote unquote, so called; so to speak; as it were:

   If you're a liberal, quote unquote, they're suspicious of you.

Example Sentences

A Lancashire Police officer was even quoted in the article saying “the scale of it was quite breathtaking.”

From BBC

Last week, the Lebanese broadcaster Al-Jadeed quoted Boulos as saying the Trump administration had tapped him to help negotiate with Lebanon.

From Los Angeles Times

It features a bounty of wonderful quotes and photos of Deal in an incredible T-shirt that has the Las Vegas Raiders logo with the late Steve Albini’s face on it.

From New York Times

The following quote is making the rounds on social media in light of these absurd Cabinet nominations:

From Salon

But Slot's quotes tell us that decision has already been made.

From BBC

Related Words

• cite
• name
• recall
• refer to

More About Quote

What is a basic definition of quote?

Quote means to repeat the exact words of a speaker or an author. A quote is also a passage or statement repeated in this way. Quote means to cite something as a form of proof. Quote has several other senses as a verb and a noun.

To quote something or someone is to repeat the exact words they said or to recite the exact words written in a book.

Real-life examples: Great speakers often quote other inspiring people when making speeches. Newspapers will often quote the people they interviewed to show the reader they aren’t making things up or paraphrasing. Religious leaders will often quote the words written in a holy book when giving sermons.

Used in a sentence: The speaker quoted poet John Donne when she said, “No man is an island.” 

In this sense, quote is a phrase, statement, or written passage that another person repeats exactly.

Real-life examples: The news will report quotes of politicians, economists, scientists, and other important people. Many popular sayings and phrases are quotes.

Used in a sentence: “A house divided against itself cannot stand” is a famous Abraham Lincoln quote.

Quote also means to offer something as evidence or supporting facts.

Real-life examples: Lawyers and judges will often quote earlier court cases when making arguments. Religious leaders or followers will frequently quote religious texts when explaining what is and isn’t acceptable behavior.

Used in a sentence: The attorney quoted the earlier legal decision when she argued that the new law was unjust.

Where does quote come from?

The first records of quote come from around 1350. It ultimately comes from the classical Latin quot, meaning “how many.”

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to quote?

• quoter (noun)
• outquote (verb)
• prequote (verb)
• requote (verb)
• superquote (verb)
• unquote (verb)

What are some synonyms for quote?

• name
• cite
• recall

What are some words that share a root or word element with quote? 

• quotation
• quotable
• quoteworthy
• misquote
• quote-unquote

What are some words that often get used in discussing quote?

• direct
• anonymous
• price
• law
• proverb

How is quote used in real life?

Quote is a common word that means someone is repeating what someone else said.

Today I quoted Elizabeth Bishop in my advice column:
"Time to plant tears, says the almanac."
Seems fitting right now.

— Amy Dickinson, English Major (@AskingAmy) November 18, 2020

Who wants an inspiring quote on a Monday morning?

Ronaldo: “Your love makes me stronger, your hate makes me unstoppable.”

— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) August 24, 2015

In an odd moment, Ford's lawyer quoted the french version of the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act to make argument about clarity of law

— Jackson Proskow (@JProskowGlobal) January 7, 2013

 

 

Try using quote!

True or False?

To quote something means to paraphrase it and give a short summary of its meaning.