quarters
C1Formal, Military, Historical, Business (for 'living quarters' and 'financial quarters')
Definition
Meaning
A place of residence or lodging for a person or group; also, one of four equal parts.
Refers broadly to assigned living spaces (especially for military, employees, or servants); specific accommodations; a district or section of a town; mercy or clemency shown to a defeated opponent; the phase of the moon; a coin worth 25 cents.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The plural form 'quarters' is almost always used for the meaning 'accommodation'. As a countable noun for 'one-fourth', 'quarter' is used (e.g., a quarter of an apple). The plural 'quarters' for 'one-fourth' is rare and highly specific (e.g., cutting something into quarters).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Both use 'quarters' for living accommodations and financial periods (Q1, Q2). The 25-cent coin is primarily American; British use '25 pence' or historically 'two shillings and sixpence'.
Connotations
In British English, 'quarters' can sound slightly more formal or historical (e.g., servants' quarters). In American English, it is standard in military and corporate contexts.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both dialects for the accommodation sense. 'Headquarters' is used identically.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The soldiers were assigned quarters in the old barracks.The company reported strong earnings in the third quarter.They gave no quarter to their rivals in the debate.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “at close quarters”
- “give no quarter”
- “quarter of”
- “first-quarter report”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to a three-month period in a financial year (Q1, Q2). 'The project is scheduled for completion in the third quarter.'
Academic
Used in historical/social studies for living arrangements (e.g., 'slave quarters'). In mathematics, 'a quarter' of a whole.
Everyday
Most common in the phrase 'living quarters' to describe where someone lives. 'We found temporary quarters until our flat was ready.'
Technical
Military: assigned living spaces. Astronomy: phases of the moon (first quarter, last quarter). Heraldry: a division of a shield.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The regiment was quartered in the town for the winter.
- They quartered the apples before baking.
American English
- The soldiers were quartered at Fort Bragg.
- The cook quartered the chicken for frying.
adjective
British English
- A quarter-final match is scheduled for Tuesday.
- He paid the quarter-day rent.
American English
- It was a quarter-mile race.
- She made a quarter-turn to the left.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We cut the pizza into four quarters.
- The soldiers sleep in their quarters.
- The company's profits rose in the last quarter.
- Our new quarters are much more spacious.
- The researchers were forced to work in close quarters during the expedition.
- The enemy was given no quarter in the brutal assault.
- The ambassador's official quarters are located within the secure compound.
- The lunar cycle was entering its third quarter.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a house divided into FOUR equal parts: each part is a QUARTER, and if you live in one, you're in your QUARTERS.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPACE IS A DIVISIBLE RESOURCE (cut into quarters), ACCOMMODATION IS AN ALLOCATED PORTION (your allotted quarters).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate 'quarters' (жилье) as 'кварталы' (which are city blocks).
- 'No quarter' (no mercy) is an idiom; not related to 'четверть'.
- Avoid using 'quarters' as a direct equivalent for 'комната' (room); it implies assigned lodging.
Common Mistakes
- *I live in a quarter. (Incorrect; use 'quarters' or 'lodging')
- Using singular 'quarter' to mean accommodation.
- Confusing 'close quarters' (crowded proximity) with 'short distance'.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'to give no quarter' mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
For the meaning 'accommodation or lodgings', yes, it is almost always plural. For 'one-fourth', the singular is 'quarter' (a quarter of the staff).
'Quarters' are living spaces. 'Headquarters' (singular or plural verb) is the central administrative office or command centre of an organisation.
Yes. It means 1) to provide someone with lodgings, or 2) to divide something into four equal parts.
It is short for 'quarter dollar', representing one-fourth of a US dollar.