quotient
Americannoun
noun
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the result of the division of one number or quantity by another
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the integral part of the result of division
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a ratio of two numbers or quantities to be divided
Etymology
Origin of quotient
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English quociens, quocient, from Latin quotiēns “how many times”
Explanation
When you add two numbers the answer is called the sum. When you divide two numbers the answer is called the quotient. The quotient of six divided by two is three. Quotient comes from Latin and means "how many times." That makes a lot of sense: if you divide one number by a second, you are figuring out "how many times" the second number goes into the first. Outside of math, use of the word is restricted: the IQ test is short for "Intelligence Quotient," and very rarely you might hear someone ask, "What's my quotient of cupcakes?" when they mean "What is my share?"
Vocabulary lists containing quotient
Arithmetic
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The Number System
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The ACT Math Test: Number and Quantity
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
As is the company’s way, the surprise-and-delight quotient is high.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 28, 2026
As a global brand with a perceived "cool quotient", owning a Tesla will be a status symbol for the young, aspirational Indian population.
From BBC • Mar. 4, 2025
So, you can rest assured that the cheese quotient of this dip is . . . high.
From Salon • Feb. 9, 2024
Yet with the nearly six months of combined actors’ and writers’ strikes, there were scant promotional activities last year, depriving actors of opportunities to build their fashion following and glamour quotient.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 30, 2024
I can’t help but be a little intrigued by his unknown quotient.
From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
