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

That’s the good news and the bad news, since its elevated profile stems from the quartet’s recent decision to disband in December after a 26-year run. —George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026

Sunday’s reggae show features a quartet of talented spinners headed by DJ Goddess Nette. —Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026

After a lackluster year that saw the French box office drop by nearly 15% and become dominated by Hollywood blockbusters, 2026 is kicking off with a quartet of ambitious French films driving a 20% jump in theatrical admissions. —Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 4 Mar. 2026

Many groups who debuted prior to or alongside the quartet almost 10 years ago have found extensive international success through festival appearances and song collaborations, while still participating in the activities that make following K-pop artists uniquely fun, such as music and variety shows. —Alex Ramos, Pitchfork, 4 Mar. 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
• brevet
• 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