Quote
/kwoʊt/
Definitions
4 meaningsTo cite (a passage, book, author, etc.) as evidence for an argument or statement.
/kwoʊt/
To repeat or copy words from a book, speech, or other source.
She quoted a line from her favorite poem.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're showing off what someone else said! 'Quoting' is like sharing their exact words in a paper or conversation. You're 'quoting' your favorite movie to your friend.
👶 For kids: Saying exactly what someone else said or wrote.
More Examples
The witness was asked to quote what she saw.
He quoted the exact words of the contract.
How It's Used
"The professor often quotes Shakespeare in his lectures."
"The journalist quoted the CEO directly in the article."
To give the current price of (something, especially stocks or shares)
/kwoʊt/
To state the price of (a service or goods).
The company quoted a high price for the service.
💡 Simply: When you're asking how much something costs, like getting a quote for new windows, you're basically asking someone to 'quote' you a price. It's like saying, "How much will this be?"
👶 For kids: Telling how much something costs.
More Examples
Can you quote me for the project?
The car dealer quoted me a price.
How It's Used
"The contractor quoted a price of $500 for the repair."
"The broker quoted the current stock price."
A passage or expression that is quoted or cited.
/kwoʊt/
She added a powerful quote to her presentation.
💡 Simply: When you repeat what someone said word for word, that's a 'quote'. It is a special line that you borrow from someone else.
👶 For kids: Words someone else said that you write or say.
More Examples
I wrote down the quote in my notebook.
The article features a revealing quote from the senator.
How It's Used
"The essay included several quotes from the author's book."
"The article featured direct quotes from the interviewee."
A statement of the current price of a stock or commodity.
/kwoʊt/
The investor checked the real-time quotes.
💡 Simply: In the stock market, a 'quote' is the price someone is willing to pay or sell a share for.
👶 For kids: How much something costs in the market.
More Examples
Can you give me a quote for the day's trading?
The news provides the latest market quotes.
How It's Used
"The stock market quotes fluctuated throughout the day."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
quote unquote
Used before a word or phrase to indicate that it is a direct quotation.
"The report said, "quote unquote," the project was a success."
air quotes
Gesturing with your fingers to make quotation marks in the air, indicating that you are repeating something that was said or written by someone else, often with a suggestion of irony, skepticism, or doubt.
"He said it was a 'great' movie – he did air quotes when he said it."
From Middle French *quoter* ('to cite'), from Latin *quotare* ('to cite by numbers').
The word 'quote' has been used in English since the late 15th century, initially in the sense of citing or referring to a passage. Its use to mean 'price' emerged later, reflecting its connection to valuation and estimation.
Memory tip
Think of a quotation mark – it marks the words you're repeating.
Word Origin
"to cite by numbers"