excerpt
Excerpt (noun) means a short passage taken from a longer book, film, speech or piece of music and presented on its own. Example: “The magazine printed an excerpt from her forthcoming memoir.”
How to use excerpt
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small part taken out of a longer book, film or piece of music.
Say 'an excerpt from' a work, not 'an excerpt of' it, when naming the source.
Trace the full origin ↓Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The magazine printed an _____ from her forthcoming memoir.
Etymology
From Latin excerptum, the past participle of excerpere ('to pluck out'), from ex ('out') plus carpere ('to pluck').
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an excerpt and a quote?
A quote reproduces someone's exact words, often a sentence or two, usually to support a point. An excerpt is a continuous passage lifted from a longer work and presented for its own sake, such as a chapter printed in a newspaper. Every excerpt is a form of quotation, but not every quotation is an excerpt.
How is 'excerpt' pronounced?
As a noun the stress falls on the first syllable, EK-surpt. As a verb it usually shifts to the second, ek-SURPT, though many speakers use the first-syllable stress for both.
Can you publish an excerpt without permission?
Not automatically. Short quotations for review, criticism or study may fall under fair use or fair dealing, but a substantial excerpt of a copyrighted work normally needs the rights holder's permission. The safe course is to ask the publisher.
What is the meaning of excerpt?
"excerpt" (noun) means a short passage taken from a longer book, film, speech or piece of music and presented on its own.