Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
single quote

single quote

3.4
A punctuation mark like an apostrophe used to show speech or a quote inside another quote
  • noun
  • /ˈsɪŋɡəl koʊt/
translation icon : comilla simple
  • The only way to do it, which the author fails to mention in the directions of the plugin, is to enclose each category in single quotes and all of them in double quotes.

Examples

  • For instance, you might decide JavaScript strings should use double quotes while CSS strings should use single quotes.

    Blog text (30)

  • Unfortunately, the developer gives vague directions on how to use categories, just saying to enclose them in single quotes.

    Blog text (11)

  • When writing code in Python, you can define a string using single quotes like this: 'Hello, world!'.

  • In programming, nested quotes require you to use single quotes inside double quotes for clarity, such as saying, "She said, 'Hello!'".

  • Make sure to format your text correctly by putting titles in single quotes, like 'Pride and Prejudice'.

Synonyms

quotation mark
vssingle quote
8 1.1

Small signs in writing used to show the exact words someone said or a short title like a song

is the form used inside another quotation rather than the main surrounding marks
inverted comma
vssingle quote
  • UK
1 3.8

Marks like single or double quote that go around words to show someone's exact words

is the specific variant used inside another quotation rather than either variant generally

Antonyms

double quotes
1.6

Two quotation marks used to show direct speech or a quotation

Surface Forms

single quote singular
single quotes plural

Morphology

single + quote

The meaning is directly derivable from the constituents: 'single' (one) modifies 'quote' (a quotation mark), so 'single quote' denotes a one-character quotation mark. This modifier+noun composition is transparent and cross-linguistically common (many languages distinguish single vs. double quotation marks), so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily understand the term.

Etymology

The punctuation name single quote comes from the simple idea of using one small mark, the single mark, to show a quote or 'speech'. So it means the one mark you put around a word or phrase, often inside another 'quote'.