quarter

word

/ˈkwɔɹtɝ/
KWOR-dur
/kwˈɔːtɐ/
KWAW-tuh

Definition

A quarter is one of four equal parts of something. It can also mean 15 minutes, one of the four three-month periods in a year, or an area of a town or city.

Usage & Nuances

Very common and highly context-dependent. In time, it appears in phrases like 'a quarter past three' and 'a quarter to five'. For business, 'quarter' often means a financial period. In everyday speech, 'a quarter of' is more common than 'one fourth of'.

Example Sentences

We’re already a quarter of the way through the book.

natural

The café is in the old quarter of the city.

natural

I ate a quarter of the pizza.

basic

The meeting starts at a quarter past nine.

basic

Sales were better this quarter.

basic

Give me a quarter and I’ll be ready to go.

natural