quartet

noun

quar·​tet kwȯr-ˈtet 

variants or less commonly quartette

1

: a musical composition for four instruments or voices

2

: a group or set of four

especially : the performers of a quartet

Examples of quartet in a Sentence

He is a member of a jazz quartet.

a string quartet by Beethoven

The author wrote a quartet of novels about the same character.

Recent Examples on the Web

The quartet had worked on both albums concurrently, hoping to release everything as a double album. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 27 June 2026

Will the aforementioned quartet be a little extra motivated to show out this weekend on the banks of McCovey Cove? — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 26 June 2026

Now, the brand just unveiled a quartet of tourbillons to pay homage to that historic patent filing. — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 26 June 2026

Known throughout the Chicago area for his national anthem performances, Wayne Messmer and his quartet will perform music celebrating the Great American Songbook, patriotic favorites and other timeless standards, according to a press release about the event. — Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Italian quartetto, from quarto fourth, from Latin quartus — more at quart

First Known Use

1773, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing quartet

• barbershop quartet
• string quartet

Rhymes for quartet

• abet
• asset
• baguette
• banquette
• barbette
• beget
• beset
• binet
• briquette
• brunet
• brunette
• burette

Kids Definition

quartet

noun

quar·​tet

variants also quartette

kwȯr-ˈtet 

1

a

: a musical composition for four instruments or voices

b

: the performers of a quartet

2

: a group or set of four