quartet

especially British, quar·tette

[kwawr-tet]

noun

1. any group of four persons or things.

2. an organized group of four singers or players.

3. a musical composition for four voices or instruments.

quartet

/ kwɔːˈtɛt /

noun

1. a group of four singers or instrumentalists or a piece of music composed for such a group See string quartet

2. any group of four

   a quartet of fast bowlers

quartet

1. A group of four musicians or singers; also, a piece of music for four instruments or voices.

Word History and Origins

Origin of quartet¹

1765–75; < Italian quartetto, diminutive of quarto < Latin quartus fourth

Word History and Origins

Origin of quartet¹

C18: from Italian quartetto, diminutive of quarto fourth

Example Sentences

Brahms wasn’t the first to juice up the string quartet with a second violin.

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The quartet in question exemplified a force for good that’s too often overlooked: the power of family.

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Like Archer, this will be a first taste of an away Ashes series for that quartet.

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Penelope looked at the quartet of panting, salivating beasts; the icy feeling at the back of her neck returned.

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He, too, was dressed in black, and his hair was as dark as the quartet of horsetails that were now impatiently whipping about.

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Related Words

• assemblage 
• band 
• cast 
• choir 
• chorus 
• orchestra 
• quintet 
• sextet 
• trio 
• troupe