quote
quote Lexical Profile
quote Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A repetition of someone else's exact words or a passage taken from a text or speech.
"She began her presentation with an inspiring quote from a renowned scientist."
A formal statement or estimate of the current market price of a security, commodity, or service.
"The homeowner requested a written quote from three different roofing contractors before making a decision."
A punctuation mark used in pairs to set off speech, a quotation, or a title (usually in the plural).
"Make sure to enclose the exact words of the interviewee in double quotes."
• verb
To repeat or copy out the exact words from a text or speech written or spoken by another person.
"The journalist was careful to quote the mayor accurately in the morning article."
To mention or refer to someone or something as evidence or an example to support an argument or statement.
"The defense attorney chose to quote several historical precedents to support the motion."
To state or estimate a specific price for goods, services, or financial securities.
"The mechanic was able to quote a reasonable price for the transmission repair."
Word Nuance & Usage
Traditionally, style guides preferred 'quote' strictly as a verb and 'quotation' as the corresponding noun, though 'quote' is now universally accepted as a noun in both standard and informal usage.
• Rhymes for quote
Word Origin & Etymology
From Late Middle English 'coten', derived from Medieval Latin 'quotare' (to mark with numbers or divide into chapters and verses), from Latin 'quotus' (of what number) and 'quot' (how many).