ENGLISH
REFERENCE

cited

v. · adj.
US //ˈsaɪtəd// UK //sˈaɪtɪd// cit·ed
  1. 1 mentioned as a reason (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    mentioned something as a reason for why something happened.

    adduced or mentioned as a reason, cause, or justification for an action or event.

    Example

    The manager cited a lack of time as the main reason for the delay.

    Example

    The CEO cited shifting market conditions and increased competition as the primary drivers behind the company's decision to restructure its European operations.

    Usage

    Often used with 'as' to introduce the reason or cause.
  2. 2 referenced a source (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Academic Academic

    wrote down where information came from in a report or essay.

    referenced a specific passage, book, or author as evidence for an argument, typically in an academic context.

    Example

    She cited three different books in her history essay.

    Example

    The researcher cited several peer-reviewed studies to support her hypothesis regarding the long-term effects of the policy change.

    Usage

    In academic writing, this implies following a specific formatting style like APA or MLA.
    • plagiarized
  3. 3 having a citation (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Academic Formal

    describes a piece of work or a person that has been mentioned in a list of sources.

    referring to a work, author, or legal case that has been formally referenced in another text.

    Example

    He is one of the most cited authors in the field of science.

    Example

    The most frequently cited cases in the brief were those involving constitutional privacy rights from the last decade.

    Teacher's tip

    This is very common in academic rankings to show how influential a researcher is.
    • uncited

Last updated June 19, 2026