Unquote: Definition, Usage, and Common Mistakes

Meaning 1：end a quote (unquote)

unquote 🔊

/ʌnˈkwoʊt/

to say or write the words that mark the end of what you are quoting, often used with "quote".

Illustration of a hand writing a closing quotation mark to complete a quoted sentence on paper.

end a quote 🔊

➕

/ɛnd ə kwoʊt/

The verb 'unquote' is used to verbally signal the end of a quoted passage, typically paired with 'quote' to frame the citation.

📁 Category：Language Evolution 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Prefix ‘un-’ (reverse/opposite) + ‘quote’ (from Latin 'quotare', to mark number/cite).

💡 Mnemonic

To UN-do a QUOTE: you say 'unquote' to close the quotation you just opened.

📖 Example

My boss said, and I quote, 'This project needs more creativity,' unquote. 🔊 My boss stated, and I quote, 'This project needs more creativity,' and then I indicated the end of the quote.

🔗 Collocations

quote ... unquote – used orally to frame a quotation, especially for emphasis or irony

and I quote ... unquote – a formal way to introduce and close a direct quote

to quote and unquote – the action of citing something verbatim with clear boundaries

🔄 Synonyms

close the quotation (v. phrase) – to mark the end of a quoted section

end quotation (v. phrase) – a formal declaration that a quote has finished

close quotes (v. phrase) – an informal way to signal the end of a quote

🚫 Antonyms

quote (v.) – to begin citing someone's exact words

begin quotation (v. phrase) – to start a direct quote

📖 Cultural Story

In spoken English, 'quote...unquote' is used to verbally frame a direct quotation, often adding emphasis or signaling irony. This practice mimics written quotation marks in speech, especially common in business or media contexts.