Word
cite
US/ˈsaɪt/
UK/sˈaɪt/
Definitions
01to mention as evidence
B2 · Upper Intermediate Academic
v. to mention something as a reason or an example to support what you are saying.
v. to mention or refer to something as an example or as proof in an argument.
日本語:引く※
“The report cited a lack of funding as the main reason for the project's failure.”
“The economist cited several recent studies to support her claim that inflation would likely stabilise by the end of the fiscal year.”
Usage
Often used with 'as' to introduce the reason or evidence.
02to reference a source
B2 · Upper Intermediate Academic
v. to write or say which book, article, or person an idea or quote came from.
v. to provide a formal reference to a source of information in a piece of academic work.
Español:citar
“You must cite all your sources at the end of your essay.”
“Students are required to cite their sources using a consistent style to avoid any accusations of academic dishonesty.”
Usage
Transitive verb taking a direct object of the source or author.
Pitfall
You must cite to the original author.
You must cite the original author.
The verb 'cite' is transitive and takes a direct object without the preposition 'to'.
Antonyms
03to summon to court
C1 · Advanced Law Formal · Technical
v. to officially order someone to appear in a court of law.
v. to summon a person officially to appear before a court or tribunal.
Español:citar
“The witness was cited to appear in court next Tuesday.”
“The defendant was cited for contempt of court after repeatedly interrupting the judge during the preliminary hearing.”
Usage
Often used in the passive voice in legal contexts.
04a citation
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Informal · Academic
n. a short name for a formal note that says where information came from.
n. an informal shortening of 'citation', referring to a reference in a text.
“Check your paper to make sure every cite is formatted correctly.”
“The professor noted that several cites in the bibliography were missing the publication dates.”
Teaching tip
This noun form is much less common than the full word 'citation' and is mostly used by students or researchers in casual conversation.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “cite” in context.
Verb
01. cite example
“The lawyer was able to cite several examples of similar cases from the past.”
verb + noun
02. cite in
“Please make sure to cite all the sources you used in your final report.”
verb + prep
Adverb
03. commonly cite
“Researchers commonly cite this study when discussing the effects of climate change.”
adv + verb
04. frequently cite
“Experts frequently cite lack of sleep as a major cause of workplace accidents.”
adv + verb
Real-World Examples
“Local officials cite a higher figure of up to 10,000 people.” “In addition to the fear of losing the right to marry, the study's authors cite the economic and legal security brought by marriage as another reason for the increase.” Etymology
From Old French citer, from Latin citare (“to cause to move, excite, summon”), frequentative of ciēre (“to rouse, excite, call”). Sense 4 is the original one.
From the first syllable of citation. Analogous to quote, from quotation.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/cite
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0