quotable
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /kwˈəʊtəbəl/
US
- /ˈkwoʊtəbəl/
Description
- Memorable
- Worth repeating
- Easy to quote
- Catchy
Something is "quotable" when it is said so well, or in such a funny or sharp way, that people want to repeat it later. Think of a line from a movie, a strong comment from a famous person, or a clever post online. It does not have to be deep or serious. It just has to stick in people's minds and feel worth sharing. A speaker may try to fill a talk with quotable lines. A person who often says smart or funny things can also be described as quotable.
"Quotable" describes something—usually a phrase, sentence, or even a whole passage—that is particularly memorable and worthy of being repeated or quoted by others. It suggests the words are striking, insightful, humorous, or otherwise stand out in a way that makes them resonate with people.
The context often implies a sense of wisdom, wit, or significance. A "quotable moment" might be a powerful line from a play ("To be or not to be"), a clever observation from an author ("It is a truth universally acknowledged…"), or even a catchy slogan from an advertisement.
While something doesn't have to be profound to be quotable, it usually possesses a certain quality that makes it stand out and invites sharing. A politician might strive for "quotability" in their speeches, hoping a memorable line will capture the public's attention. Social media is full of quotable content—tweets, memes, and viral videos often gain traction because they contain phrases people want to share with others.
Essentially, if something is "quotable," it has the power to live on beyond its original context, circulating through conversation and culture as a memorable and impactful statement.
Examples
- 1
Movie lines
The movie is full of quotable lines that people still repeat years later.
- 2
Interviews
She has a dry sense of humor and always says something quotable in interviews.
- 3
Speech highlights
The coach gave a long speech, but only one sentence was truly quotable.
- 4
Social media
He tries not to be too quotable on social media because his posts get shared out of context.
Phrase
out of context
without the full situation or surrounding words
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- quotableadjective