What does quote mean?
“Quote” has two closely related everyday meanings. As a verb, it means to repeat the exact words of a person or text, often so that a source can be checked; it can also mean to cite a work or speaker. In financial and commercial contexts, to quote a price, rate, or market value is to state it. As a noun, a quote is a passage reproduced in this way, while a quote or quotation for goods or services is an estimate or formal statement of their price. The word is neutral in tone and common in journalism, speech, business, and conversation. “Quote, unquote” marks a phrase as someone's exact words while allowing the writer to comment on them. The shared origin of “quote” and words such as “quota” is Latin quot, “how many”: quotation originally meant marking an amount with numbers before “quote” developed its familiar sense of reproducing someone's words.
A passage or phrase reproduced exactly from a source, especially a memorable one; also a statement of the price or estimated cost of goods or services.
"The article included a quote from the project's lead researcher."
The formal term “quotation” is especially common for a written statement of price.
To reproduce or cite someone's exact words, or to state a price, rate, or market value.
"The senator declined to quote the classified report during the hearing."
The verb is commonly followed by a source, a passage, a person, or a price.
The plural is regular; “quotation” is a more formal alternative, especially for a statement of price.
"The speech contained several memorable quotes about perseverance."
From Latin quot, meaning “how many,” quote began as a way of marking numbers—proof that even a familiar word can start as bookkeeping.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does quote come from?
English quote comes from Latin quotare, “to mark with a number,” from quot, an indeclinable numeral meaning “how many.” The word was used for marking amounts and prices before its familiar sense of repeating someone's exact words became established. The same Latin root underlies quota and quotient, while quotation developed directly from the English word.
Related word forms
How quote is actually used
The word is neutral in tone and common in journalism, conversation, commerce, and finance. British English often prefers “quotation” for a formal written statement of price, while both “quote” and “quotation” are standard in American English.
Easily confused with quote
A quote is the general everyday term for reproduced words or a stated price, whereas a quotation is often the more formal term, especially for a formal price or written statement.