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 limited the Rockies to four hits while striking out 11. — Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 26 Sep. 2026

The quartet also performed in a mini music video with the awkward group of ladies, also featuring Jane Wickline and Veronika Slowikowska. — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 26 Sep. 2026

Those lines come into focus via a quartet of stripes along the exterior of the earcups, which can also be spotted on the carry case. — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 24 Sep. 2026

The quartet had arranged with Sheindlin a mock trial involving a dispute over the costs of Adler’s birthday party. — Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 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