quarter
14 synonyms and 1 antonym for quarter, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — One of four equal parts into which something is divided.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
One of four equal parts into which something is divided.
“Cut the apple into quarters.”
Opposites
How to use quarter
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
first quarter
quarter past
living quarters
quarter the population
Etymology
From Latin quartarius, related to quartus, "fourth" — the same root behind quart and quarterly.
Full origin of quarter →Frequently asked questions
What does “quarter” mean?
The word “quarter” means one of four equal parts into which something is divided. In plain terms, a fourth of something — of a whole, an hour, a year, a dollar, or a town — plus, as a verb, to house troops.
How do you pronounce “quarter”?
“Quarter” is pronounced KAW-tuh (/ˈk(w)ɔɹ.tɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “quarter” in a sentence?
Here is “quarter” used in a sentence: “Cut the apple into quarters.”
What is another word for “quarter”?
Words with a similar meaning to “quarter” include trimester, cour and stop.
What is the opposite of “quarter”?
The opposite of “quarter” — its antonyms — is quadruple.
What part of speech is “quarter”?
Depending on how it is used, “quarter” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “quarter” come from?
The word “quarter” comes from Latin. From Latin quartarius, related to quartus, "fourth" — the same root behind quart and quarterly.
Is “quarter” a common word?
“Quarter” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is an example of a quarter?
Cutting a pizza into four equal slices gives four quarters, and each slice is a quarter of the whole. Other everyday examples include a quarter of an hour, which is fifteen minutes, a quarter of a year, meaning three months, and a US 25-cent coin.
What is the difference between a quarter and a fourth?
They describe the same fraction — one part of four equal parts, or one over four. 'Quarter' is the everyday term in both British and American English, while 'a fourth' appears mainly in American English and in maths. Both are correct and mean exactly the same amount.
How many quarters make a whole?
Four quarters make one whole. Because a quarter is defined as one of four equal parts, putting all four back together rebuilds the complete original. Four quarter-hours make an hour, four quarters make a full dollar, and four three-month quarters make a full year.
