One syllable: Quote.
kwoht
/kwoʊt/
Quote is pronounced kwoht (/kwoʊt/). It has one syllable (Quote), with the stress on "Quote". Quote as a verb means to repeat someone’s exact words or to cite a passage from a text. In everyday use it can also mean to summarize or refer to words said by another, often with quotation marks. The sense includes attributions in speech or writing, and it can function as a noun when referring to a cited passage.
verbQuote as a verb means to repeat someone’s exact words or to cite a passage from a text. In everyday use it can also mean to summarize or refer to words said by another, often with quotation marks. The sense includes attributions in speech or writing, and it can function as a noun when referring to a cited passage.
- Common Mistake 1: Misplacing the diphthong. You might vocalize a lax /o/ or insert a schwa: aim for /oʊ/ with a distinct glide from /o/ to /ʊ/ if you’re hearing a diphthong. Correction: practice by saying ‘oh-oo’ in one breath, keeping the glide tight and finishing with a crisp /t/. - Common Mistake 2: Final /t/ mishandling. Some speakers drop the /t/ or gloss it: ensure that you close the lips and stop the air with a sharp /t/. Practice with a mirror to see a clean, clipped stop. - Common Mistake 3: Initial consonant misarticulation when in rapid speech; you might begin with a weak onset or blend with preceding word: focus on the /w/ onset following a brief, relaxed vowel; keep the lips rounded for /w/ and then transition to /oʊ/ smoothly.
How to Pronounce Quote
"Please quote the manager's statement verbatim during the meeting."
"She quoted Shakespeare in her essay to support her argument."
"The article quotes several experts on climate policy."
Say /woʊt/ (US) with a long /oʊ/ diphthong. The first and only strong syllable bears primary stress when used as a verb in isolation or at the start of a quote. Mouth position is similar to saying ‘woe’ but with a brief, tight closure of the lips transitioning to a smooth glide into /t/. Audio examples align with standard American and British pronunciations: /woʊt/ (US), /wəʊt/ or /woʊt/ (UK), with Australian often favoring /woːt/ or /woʊt/ depending on regional accent; ensure the vowel quality remains rounded and the final /t/ is crisp.
Common errors include treating the word as ‘qu-’ plus ‘ote’ with a separate long /iː/ by some speakers, which muddies the vowel: instead, use the single /oʊ/ diphthong. Another mistake is voicing the final /t/ too lightly or letting it leak into a syllabic pause, creating /woː/ or a silent /t/. Focus on ending with a crisp /t/ after the /oʊ/ glide. Finally, some speakers insert an extra vowel or stop before /t/ in rapid speech; keep it tightly connected: /woʊt/.”},{
In US English, /woʊt/ with a pronounced diphthong and a clear final /t/. UK English commonly uses /wəʊt/ or /woʊt/, with variation in rhoticity depending on the speaker, but the /t/ remains crisp. Australian English often features a broader diphthong, sometimes closer to /woːt/; some speakers may be less rhotic. Across all, the key is a stable /oʊ/ quality and a clean /t/—differences lie mainly in vowel length and possible vowel quality shifts.
The challenge lies in the short, tight vowel transition from the /w/ onset to the /oʊ/ diphthong and the final voiceless /t/. Many learners elide the /oʊ/ into a schwa or merge with /w/ creating /wət/ or /kwɒt/ if mis-sequenced. Additionally, many non-native speakers tilt the tongue toward a lax vowel or insert a vowel before /t/. Practicing the precise mouth shape for /oʊ/ and stopping cleanly at /t/ helps resolve these issues.
A distinctive feature is the potential for the /k/ sound clash when learners try to spell-remember the word as ‘quote-unquote’ and accidentally add a /k/ or /kw/ cluster. The correct onset is /w/ from the approximation to the /oʊ/ diphthong, not /kw/. The middle /oʊ/ glides from /o/ to /u/ shape and ends with a clear /t/. Ask yourself: am I producing the /w/ smoothly before the /oʊ/?
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- US: /woʊt/ with a strong, clear diphthong. The tongue moves from roughly mid-high back to higher mid-back; lips start rounded, then unround slightly towards the /ɪ/ or /eɪ/ end. - UK: /wəʊt/ or /woʊt/, possibly a more centralized first vowel; maintain non-rhoticity. - AU: /woːt/ or /woʊt/, longer and tenser vowel in many regions; keep the /t/ crisp. Across all: maintain the same vowel quality when the word is followed by a consonant in connected speech; avoid vowel reduction in slow speech and do not insert extra vowels. IPA references: US /woʊt/, UK /wəʊt/ or /woʊt/, AU /woːt/ or /woʊt/.
The verb quote derives from the noun quotation, which comes from Old French qcote or quote (late medieval Latin excerptum, from Latin copia ‘supply’, but the English sense of quoting stems from the practice of citing or passing along others’ words). The noun quotation appeared in English around the 14th century, from Latin quotationem (nominative quotatio), formed from quotare ‘to reckon, number’ and quote ‘to mention as an example’ in later use. The sense evolved through Medieval Latin and Old French into Middle English, where scribes and scholars used quotation marks and attributions to preserve accuracy in textual transmission. Over time, the term “quote” solidified as both a verb (to cite) and a noun (a cited passage). In modern usage, “quote” encompasses direct reproduction of someone’s words, short or long passages, and the act of attributing statements to their original speaker. The word is ubiquitous in journalism, academia, literature, and everyday conversation, with informal shorthand (“quote… unquote”) reflecting its voice in casual speech.
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Help others use "Quote" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Quote" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Quote" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Quote"
-oat sounds
-ote sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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