unquote

American  

[uhn-kwoht, uhn-kwoht] / ʌnˈkwoʊt, ˈʌnˌkwoʊt /

verb (used without object)

unquoted, unquoting

1. to close a quotation (often used with the word quote, which notes the opening of the quotation).

   The senator said, quote, I am unalterably opposed to this policy, unquote.

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unquote British  

/ ʌnˈkwəʊt /

interjection

1. an expression used parenthetically to indicate that the preceding quotation is finished

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verb

1. to close (a quotation), esp in printing

Etymology

Origin of unquote

First recorded in 1910–15; un- ² + quote

Example Sentences

“They said I, quote unquote, rammed federal agents,” she said at a congressional hearing in February.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

“This is the first time, even by his own words, that it has been a quote, unquote, blowout.”

From MarketWatch • Dec. 31, 2025

So Usagi has been kind of summoned again into this world, and he has to chase after the quote, unquote rabbit.”

From Salon • Sep. 23, 2025

“There is very little footage that is quote unquote ‘lost,’” Pierce said.

From New York Times • Jan. 11, 2024

“It’s not about whether they’re hopeful. It’s about the gross implausibility of a midnight train going, quote unquote, anywhere.”

From "Leah on the Offbeat" by Becky Albertalli