quartile

American  

[kwawr-tahyl, -til] / ˈkwɔr taɪl, -tɪl /

noun

1. Statistics. (in a frequency distribution) one of the values of a variable that divides the distribution of the variable into four groups having equal frequencies.

2. Astrology. a quartile aspect.

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adjective

1. Astrology. of or relating to the aspect of two heavenly bodies when their longitudes differ by 90°.

quartile British  

/ ˈkwɔːtaɪl /

noun

1. statistics one of three actual or notional values of a variable dividing its distribution into four groups with equal frequencies

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adjective

1. statistics denoting or relating to a quartile

2. astrology denoting an aspect of two heavenly bodies when their longitudes differ by 90°

3. a quarter part of a distribution

Etymology

Origin of quartile

1500–10; < Medieval Latin quartīlis, equivalent to Latin quart ( us ) fourth + -īlis -ile

Example Sentences

Moreover, the stock market’s risk-adjusted return is below that of the lowest VIX quartile.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 13, 2026

If you are down at that bottom quartile, you haven’t taken advantage of the asset class.

From Barron's • Dec. 31, 2025

At funds worth $750 million to $999 million, pay for the top quartile was at least $600,000.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 20, 2025

"If you're already very active or in that top quartile, an extra hour's walk may not make much difference as you've, in a sense, already 'maxxed out' your benefit," he said.

From Science Daily • Nov. 26, 2024

He casts nativities as gamesters do false dice, and by slurring and palming sextile, quartile, and trine, like six, quatre, trois, can throw what chance he pleases.

From Character Writings of the 17th Century by Various