Definition

1. Verb:

   • To repeat or copy words from a text, speech, or statement, typically with an acknowledgment of the source: The core action of reproducing someone else's spoken or written words.
   • To state a price for a job, service, or goods: To give an estimated or firm cost.

2. Noun:

   • A passage or expression that is repeated or copied from a text or speech: The actual words that have been quoted.
   • A quotation mark: One of a pair of punctuation marks (" " or ' ') used to indicate the beginning and end of a quoted section.

Usage Examples

• Verb (to cite text/speech):
  • She likes to quote famous philosophers in her essays.
  • The journalist quoted the mayor directly in the article.
• Verb (to state a price):
  • The mechanic quoted $500 for the repairs.
  • Can you quote me a price for shipping?
• Noun (a cited passage):
  • That quote from the poem is very beautiful.
  • He began his speech with a quote from Martin Luther King Jr.
• Noun (a quotation mark):
  • Remember to put the title in quotes.

Advanced Usage

• "to quote chapter and verse": To provide very precise details or evidence, often from a text.
  • He can quote chapter and verse from the company's policy manual to support his argument.
• "to quote someone as saying...": A reporting structure used in journalism.
  • The witness was quoted as saying she saw a blue car.

Variants and Related Words

• Quotation (n): A group of words taken from a text or speech; the act of quoting. Also, a formal statement of a price.
  • She included a long quotation from the novel.
  • We accepted the lowest quotation for the project.
• Quotable (adj): Worth quoting; memorable.
  • The politician made several quotable remarks during the debate.

Synonyms

• Verb (cite): Cite, recite, repeat, reproduce.
• Verb (price): Estimate, bid, price, tender.
• Noun (citation): Citation, excerpt, passage, line.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Quote back (at someone): To repeat someone's own words to them, often to criticize or remind.
  • When he complained about lateness, she quoted his own excuses back at him.

Related Idioms

• Quote, unquote: Spoken to indicate that the words which follow are, or are intended to be, a direct quotation, often used ironically.
  • He said it was a "strategic decision," quote, unquote, but we all knew it was a mistake.

Noun

1. a passage or expression that is quoted or cited
2. a punctuation mark used to attribute the enclosed text to someone else

Verb

1. put quote marks around
   • Here the author is quoting his colleague
2. refer to for illustration or proof
   • He said he could quote several instances of this behavior
3. name the price of
   • quote prices for cars
4. repeat a passage from
   • He quoted the Bible to her