three-quarter: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1/B2Neutral to formal
Quick answer
What does “three-quarter” mean?
Denoting three out of four equal parts (¾) of something.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Denoting three out of four equal parts (¾) of something; usually describing length, size, or duration.
Used to describe things that are shorter, smaller, or less than full or whole. In sports (rugby/football), a position behind the half-backs.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In sports terminology, 'three-quarter' is specific to rugby positions in both. In American football, the term is not standard; equivalent positions have different names (e.g., defensive back). The general adjectival use is identical.
Connotations
Identical for general usage.
Frequency
General adjectival use equally common. Sports use far more frequent in UK/Commonwealth due to rugby.
Grammar
How to Use “three-quarter” in a Sentence
ATTRIBUTIVE ADJECTIVE + NOUN (three-quarter [noun])Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “three-quarter” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- She wore a stylish three-quarter-length coat.
- He played three-quarter for the local rugby club.
American English
- She bought a three-quarter-sleeve blouse for the office.
- The three-quarter view of the car shows its best lines.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in reports to describe partial completion or progress: 'The project is at the three-quarter stage.'
Academic
Used in mathematical descriptions or proportional analysis.
Everyday
Common in describing clothing (sleeves, coats), views (in photography), or progress.
Technical
In rugby (position: centre, wing). In music, referring to a ¾ time signature (waltz).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “three-quarter”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “three-quarter”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “three-quarter”
- Using it predicatively (*The sleeves are three-quarter). It must be 'three-quarter length sleeves' or 'the sleeves are three-quarters length'.
- Writing it as one unhyphenated word ('threequarter') or without any hyphen when it is a compound adjective.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, when used as a compound adjective before a noun (three-quarter time). When used as a noun phrase ('three quarters of the pie'), it is not hyphenated.
Yes, but usually in terms of a 'three-quarter portrait' (a painting/photograph showing about ¾ of the face) or a 'three-quarter view' of the body.
Either a 'full-length sleeve' or a 'short sleeve'.
Yes, in general adjectival use (clothing, views). However, the specific sports position term is not part of American football vocabulary.
Denoting three out of four equal parts (¾) of something.
Three-quarter is usually neutral to formal in register.
Three-quarter: in British English it is pronounced /ˌθriː ˈk(w)ɔːtə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌθri ˈkwɔːrtər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “three-quarter time (AFL)”
- “three-quarter pace”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a clock: 9 is at the three-quarter point of a 12-hour cycle. A three-quarter coat covers three parts of your legs, leaving one quarter uncovered.
Conceptual Metaphor
PART-WHOLE (A substantial majority, yet not the complete whole). PROGRESS AS A JOURNEY (being three-quarters of the way there).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'three-quarter' a fixed, specialised term?