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

These guerrilla pop-ups launched the heartland quartet – singer Tyson Ritter, lead guitarist Nick Wheeler, rhythm guitarist Mike Kennerty and drummer Chris Gaylor – into a world of TikToks and Instagram posts, simultaneously cultivating a fan base decades younger than the now-middle-aged rockers. —Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 16 May 2026

In 2025, schoolmates and teachers encouraged Vu to audition for Cal State Fullerton’s quartet festival master class, open to three girls and three boys. —Theresa Walker, Oc Register, 14 May 2026

The quartet includes senior star Aya Ferguson, junior Anita Qian, sophomore Carolyn Han and senior Katrina Weitfeldt. —Glae Thien, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2026

The quartet will be recognized for their talent achievements and work that has had an impact on the global entertainment industry. —Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 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