quartet

/kwɔrˈtɛt/

/kwɔˈtɛt/

Other forms: quartets

A quartet is a musical group with four members. If you play the viola, you might form a string quartet with two violinists and a cellist.

You can use the noun quartet to describe your four-person singing group, and you can also use it to talk about the piece of music you're performing, if it's written specifically for four voices or instruments. The word quartet comes from the Italian quarto, or "fourth," which in turn has it roots in the Latin quartus, also meaning "fourth."

Definitions of quartet

1. noun

   a musical composition for four performers
   synonyms: quartette

   type of:

   composition, musical composition, opus, piece, piece of music

   a musical work that has been created
2. noun

   four performers or singers who perform together
   synonyms: quartette

   types:

   barbershop quartet

   an unaccompanied quartet of (usually male) voices singing sentimental songs in four-part harmony

   string quartet, string quartette

   an instrumental quartet with 2 violins and a viola and a cello

   type of:

   musical group, musical organisation, musical organization

   an organization of musicians who perform together
3. noun

   four people considered as a unit
   “he joined a barbershop quartet”

   synonyms: foursome, quartette

   types:

   quadrumvirate

   a group of four men

   type of:

   assemblage, gathering

   a group of persons together in one place
4. noun

   a set of four similar things considered as a unit
   synonyms: quadruple, quadruplet, quartette

   type of:

   set

   a group of things of the same kind that belong together and are so used
5. noun

   the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
   synonyms: 4, IV, Little Joe, four, foursome, quadruplet, quatern, quaternary, quaternion, quaternity, tetrad

   type of:

   digit, figure

   one of the elements that collectively form a system of numeration