noun
Uncommon
quartet
kwaw-TEHT
Quartet (noun) means a group of four musicians performing together, or a piece of music written for four parts. Example: “The string quartet played beautifully at the wedding.”
noun
1
A group of four musicians performing together, or a piece of music written for four parts.
"The string quartet played beautifully at the wedding."
"He composed a quartet for violin, viola, cello, and piano."
2
Any group of four people or things.
"A quartet of world leaders met to discuss the treaty."
"The film follows a quartet of old friends."
How to use quartet
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA group of four, especially four musicians or singers.
Common pairings
string quartet
vocal quartet
a quartet of
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Word forms
- Plural
- quartets
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The string _____ played beautifully at the wedding.
Etymology
From Italian quartetto, from quarto, "fourth."
Synonyms
View more →
four-piece
IV
four
quadruple
foursome
quadruplet
quadruplicity
quadrad
quaternion
quaternity
tetrad
tetraplet
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “quartet” mean?
The word “quartet” means a group of four musicians performing together, or a piece of music written for four parts. In plain terms, a group of four, especially four musicians or singers.
How do you pronounce “quartet”?
“Quartet” is pronounced kwaw-TEHT (/kwɔː(ɹ)ˈtɛt/ in IPA).
How do you use “quartet” in a sentence?
Here is “quartet” used in a sentence: “The string quartet played beautifully at the wedding.”
What is another word for “quartet”?
Words with a similar meaning to “quartet” include foursome, quadruplet, quadruplicity, quadrad, quaternion and quaternity.
What part of speech is “quartet”?
“Quartet” is a noun.
Where does the word “quartet” come from?
The word “quartet” comes from Italian. From Italian quartetto, from quarto, "fourth.".
Is “quartet” a common word?
“Quartet” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “quartet” have?
“Quartet” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a group of four musicians performing together, or a piece of music written for four parts.
What is the difference between a quartet and a quintet?
A quartet involves four musicians or four parts of music, while a quintet involves five. Both terms describe small ensembles, but the size of the group is the key distinguishing factor.
Does quartet only refer to musicians?
No, quartet can describe any group of exactly four people or things, not just musical performers. For example, a 'quartet of finalists' simply means four finalists, with no musical connection implied.
Is quartet also the name for a piece of music?
Yes, quartet can refer to a musical composition written specifically for four performers or parts, in addition to describing the group of musicians who perform it.
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