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 far, the scientists aren’t sure precisely which part of the rumble might be the elephant’s, quote unquote, “name.”

From New York Times • Jun. 14, 2024

"Actually often people are doing this on an individual level for quote unquote security lighting. You actually make the shadows darker and make people within them essentially invisible."

From Salon • Jul. 22, 2023

I figured he must be on the other bus, but then I overheard Miles tell Amos that Julian ditched the grade trip because he thought the whole nature-retreat thing was, quote unquote, dorky.

From "Wonder" by R. J. Palacio