noun
Uncommon
excerpt
EK-surpt
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.”
noun
1
A short passage taken from a longer book, film, speech or piece of music and presented on its own.
"The magazine printed an excerpt from her forthcoming memoir."
"He read a short excerpt aloud to the class."
verb
1
pronounced ek-SURPT as a verb To take a passage out of a longer work in order to quote or publish it separately.
"The opening chapter was excerpted in the Sunday paper."
How to use excerpt
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small part taken out of a longer book, film or piece of music.
Memory tip
Say 'an excerpt from' a work, not 'an excerpt of' it, when naming the source.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
an excerpt from
brief excerpt
excerpts of the recording
excerpted in
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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.
