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

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

From MarketWatch • Dec. 31, 2025

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

From New York Times • Jan. 11, 2024

Nora Mathison: The 1850 Fugitive Slave Act allowed federal marshals to track down and capture people who had escaped to quote unquote “free” northern states from slave holding southern states and return them to bondage.

From Scientific American • Sep. 28, 2023

“They were treated as if they had no historical knowledge by the people that were coming in to quote unquote preserve the land,” River said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2023

“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