cite
syt
Cite (verb) means to quote or refer to a source as evidence or support for a statement. Example: “The lawyer cited an earlier ruling to support her argument.”
verb
1
To quote or refer to a source as evidence or support for a statement.
"The lawyer cited an earlier ruling to support her argument."
"Make sure to cite your sources in the bibliography."
"Scientists often cite earlier studies to back up their findings."
2
To officially order someone to appear in court.
"He was cited for failing to appear at the hearing."
"The witness was cited to appear before the judge on Monday morning."
"The company was cited by the court for ignoring the earlier order."
How to use cite
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo quote a source as evidence, or to formally summon someone to court.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "site" (a location) or "sight" (vision) — all three sound alike.
Common pairings
cite a source
cite as evidence
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Word forms
- Plural
- cites
- Third person singular
- cites
- Past tense
- cited
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The lawyer _____ an earlier ruling to support her argument.
Etymology
From Old French citer, from Latin citare ("to summon, to call"), a frequentative of ciere ("to rouse, to call").
Related words
Rhymes for cite
See all rhymes for cite →Frequently asked questions
What does “cite” mean?
The word “cite” means to quote or refer to a source as evidence or support for a statement. In plain terms, to quote a source as evidence, or to formally summon someone to court.
How do you pronounce “cite”?
“Cite” is pronounced syt (/saɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “cite” in a sentence?
Here is “cite” used in a sentence: “The lawyer cited an earlier ruling to support her argument.”
What part of speech is “cite”?
“Cite” is a verb.
Where does the word “cite” come from?
The word “cite” comes from Latin. From Old French citer, from Latin citare ("to summon, to call"), a frequentative of ciere ("to rouse, to call").
Is “cite” a common word?
“Cite” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “cite” have?
“Cite” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to quote or refer to a source as evidence or support for a statement.
What is the difference between "cite" and "site"?
"Cite" is a verb meaning to quote or refer to a source as evidence, while "site" is a noun referring to a location or place, such as a building site or website. They are homophones, sounding identical but spelled and used differently.
What is the difference between "cite" and "quote"?
To "quote" usually means to repeat someone's exact words, while to "cite" means to refer to a source as support for a statement, which may or may not involve exact wording. You can cite a source by summarizing its findings without quoting it directly.
What does it mean to be "cited" to appear in court?
It means someone has been officially ordered or summoned to appear before a court, typically for an offense or as part of legal proceedings. This is a distinct legal sense of "cite" separate from referencing a source.
What is the difference between "cite," "site," and "sight"?
These three words are homophones: "cite" means to quote or refer to something, "site" refers to a location, and "sight" relates to vision or something seen. Confusing them is one of the most common spelling mistakes in English.
