quote
gb/kwˈoʊt/ us/kwˈoʊt/
B1
English
~ 2200
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
Repeat someone's exact words
To say or write the same words someone else said or wrote.
Usage pattern:
to quote [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'quote' with 'mention'; 'quote' must be the exact words, not just referring to something.
Synonyms
recite (Implies speaking from memory rather than citing a source.)
Antonyms
paraphrase (To express the same idea using different words instead of repeating exactly.)
Collocations
quote a source
|quote a passage
|quote someone directly
|quote from memory
Themes
communication
|media
|literature
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She quoted Shakespeare in her speech.
- The article quoted the president's statement.
- He often quotes lines from movies.
Learner examples
- I want to quote my teacher.
- She quoted a famous writer.
- He likes to quote his favorite book.
Noun
B1
entity
2
Exact words from another source
Words from someone else that you say or write exactly the same.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'quote' instead of 'quotation' in formal writing; 'quote' is more common in speech.
Synonyms
citation (More formal; often refers to academic sources.)
Antonyms
paraphrase (A restatement in different words rather than an exact repetition.)
Collocations
famous quote
|short quote
|memorable quote
|pull a quote
Themes
communication
|literature
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The book begins with a quote from Einstein.
- She collects inspirational quotes.
- That quote is often misattributed.
Learner examples
- I like this quote from the movie.
- This is a famous quote.
- He wrote down the quote in his notebook.
Verb
B2
action
3
State a price for something
To say how much money something will cost.
Usage pattern:
to quote [someone] [a price]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'quote' with 'invoice'; a quote is given before payment, an invoice after.
Synonyms
estimate (Suggests an approximate cost, not always fixed.)
Antonyms
charge without notice (To demand payment without telling the cost beforehand.)
Collocations
quote a price
|quote a rate
|quote a figure
Themes
business
|commerce
|finance
Examples
- The mechanic quoted me $300 for the repair.
- They quoted a lower price than their competitors.
- Can you quote me for the whole project?
Learner examples
- The shop quoted me $50.
- He quoted a price for the work.
- They quoted $10 for the meal.
Noun
B2
entity
4
Stated cost for something
The amount of money someone says something will cost before you buy it.
Synonyms
estimate (An approximate cost; may not be final.)
Antonyms
final bill (The actual amount charged after work is done.)
Collocations
get a quote
|ask for a quote
|written quote
Themes
business
|commerce
|finance
Examples
- We asked three companies for quotes.
- The builder gave us a written quote.
- Their quote was higher than expected.
Learner examples
- I got a quote from the shop.
- The quote was $100.
- She asked for a quote before buying.
Grammar
Dictionary form
quote
IPA
GB/kwˈoʊt/
US/kwˈoʊt/
Syllables & stress
quote (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (quote)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: quote
- Plural: quotes
Verb
- Base: quote
- 3rd Person Singular: quotes
- Present Participle: quoting
- Past: quoted
Word family
Expressions
quote unquote
1/kwˈoʊt ˈʌŋkwˈoʊt/
fixed phrase
Indicate quoted words or irony
Used when speaking to show that you are saying words exactly as someone else said them, or to show irony.
Examples
- He is, quote unquote, the best manager we've ever had.
- She said she was, quote unquote, too busy to help.
quote...unquote...
1/kwˈoʊtˈʌŋkwˈoʊt |/
fixed phrase
Mark start and end of quoted words in speech
Said before and after quoted words when speaking to show where the quotation starts and ends.
Examples
- He said, quote, I am innocent, unquote.
- Quote, this is the best pizza ever, unquote.
to quote someone on something
1/tə kwˈoʊt sˈʌmwˌʌn ˈɔn sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Repeat someone's words as evidence later
To use what someone said as proof later, especially if they deny it.
Examples
- You can quote me on that—I'll finish by Friday.
- Don't quote me on this, but I think they're getting married.