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 show returns for Season 2 a conquering hero, the incumbent winner of the Emmy for outstanding drama series along with a quartet of additional trophies. —Alison Herman, Variety, 5 Jan. 2026

This quartet still alive for the national championship is today and tomorrow in college football. —Greg Cote january 5, Miami Herald, 5 Jan. 2026

This quartet managed the neat trick of scoring key acting triumphs in four different movies, none of which were the Best Picture winner. —Pete Hammond, Deadline, 4 Jan. 2026

Connecticut drummer Ben Bilello, who studied jazz and African American music at the Hartt School and taught and performed throughout the state for decades, performs with his quartet on March 29. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 3 Jan. 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