Distinguishing Between Cite & Quote

Cite vs Quote

The difference between cite and quote is explained clearly in this article, as these two words are often confused due to their similar meanings. However, there is a significant difference between the two words in terms of their meanings. Both quote and cite can be used as verbs and nouns, and they both have their origins in late Middle English.

What does Quote mean?

The word quote is commonly used to mean repeating a passage or a phrase from a book or an essay, often as a way of providing proof or giving an illustration. In other words, there is an element of proof in the action of quoting. Additionally, quote is used to refer to brief excerpts from a book or work. It is worth noting that the word quote has a different meaning in the subject of commerce, where it is used to state a price or usually the current price. The noun form of the verb quote is quotation.

What does Cite mean?

On the other hand, the word cite is used to mean repeating a passage or a phrase from a book, particularly as an authority. In other words, there is an element of authority in the action of citing. Cite is used to confirm something, as in the sentence, “The teacher cited many instances of hunger for power from history.” Cite is also used to commend someone for outstanding service or hard work, as in the word citation. In the military, cite is used to mention a soldier or a unit in orders for gallantry. The noun form of cite is citer, which can be used as an adjective in the form citable. The word cite is said to have originated from the Latin citare, meaning “summon before a church court.”

Key Takeaways

• Quote is used to repeat a passage or phrase from a book or essay as a way of providing proof or illustration, while cite is used to repeat a passage or phrase from a book as an authority.
• There is an element of authority in the action of citing, whereas there is an element of proof in the action of quoting.
• Cite can also be used to commend someone for outstanding service or hard work, as in the word citation, and in commerce, quote is used to state a price or current price.