What does quoting mean?
Quoting is the present participle of quote and can also be used as a noun for the act of quoting. In its most common sense, it means reproducing the exact words of someone else, often with quotation marks and an accompanying citation. Quoting is central to journalism, scholarship, public speaking, and ordinary conversation because it makes clear whose words are being represented and allows readers or listeners to trace an idea to its source. In a commercial context, quoting can also mean giving a price or estimate for a product, service, or job. The word carries no inherent positive or negative connotation, although careless or inaccurate quoting can suggest inaccuracy, misrepresentation, or lack of originality. Quoting is especially useful when a source's precise language matters, such as in a legal statement, an academic argument, a quotation attributed to a historical figure, or a report of an official's remarks.
To reproduce the words of another person or source, usually with quotation marks; to cite or present a passage from a text.
"The minister refused to answer the reporter's question while being quoted live on television."
When used for exact wording, quoting normally implies quotation marks and a source. It can also mean stating a price or estimate.
The act or practice of quoting the words of another person or source.
"The article was criticized for the careless quoting of its interview subjects."
This nominal use is less common than the participial use, but it is standard in phrases such as accurate quoting and selective quoting.
Quoting is more than repeating words: in careful writing, it is the visible trail between a speaker's idea and the source that supports it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does quoting come from?
The present participle quoting was formed in English from quote. Quote comes through Anglo-Norman French from Latin quotare, associated with quota and the idea of stating a number or price. The same root underlies related English words such as quotation, quotable, and quoter.
Related word forms
How quoting is actually used
Quoting is neutral and common in journalism, academic writing, business, and everyday conversation. In formal writing, direct quotations usually require quotation marks and an accurate source, while the shorter forms quote and citation are often more idiomatic in general reference.
Easily confused with quoting
A quotient is the result of dividing one number by another, whereas quoting means reproducing words from a source or stating a price.