# quad

/ˈkwɑd/ (US) · /kwˈɒd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/quad
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. four-wheeled vehicle

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal

a small vehicle with four wheels that you can ride over rough ground.

For teachers: a small, open, four-wheeled off-road vehicle, typically used for recreation or agricultural work.

- We spent the afternoon riding a quad across the muddy fields.
- The farmer used a quad to reach the remote parts of the estate where the terrain was too rugged for a standard tractor.

### 2. leg muscle

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

the large muscle at the front of your thigh.

For teachers: the quadriceps femoris muscle, located on the anterior aspect of the thigh.

- My quads were really sore the day after I went hiking.
- The athlete focused on strengthening his quads to improve his explosive power during the sprint start.

### 3. courtyard

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a square or rectangular open space surrounded by buildings, often at a university.

For teachers: a quadrangle; a rectangular courtyard typically enclosed by academic or residential buildings.

- Students often gather in the college quad to study when it is sunny.
- The university's central quad is flanked by Gothic-style libraries and administrative offices, providing a quiet sanctuary from the city traffic.

### 4. one of four children

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

one of four children born to the same mother at the same time.

For teachers: a quadruplet; one of four offspring born at a single birth.

- She is a quad, so she has three brothers who look just like her.
- The local newspaper featured a story on the quads as they prepared for their first day of primary school together.

### 5. drone

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a small flying machine with four spinning blades.

For teachers: a quadcopter; an unmanned aerial vehicle propelled by four rotors.

- He flew his quad over the park to get some aerial photos.
- The hobbyist upgraded the motors on his quad to achieve better stability during high-wind conditions.

### 6. four times

adjective · CEFR C1 · Informal

four times the usual size, amount, or number.

For teachers: quadruple; consisting of four parts or being four times as great.

- I ordered a quad espresso because I was feeling very tired.
- The barista looked surprised when the customer requested a quad shot of caffeine in such a small cup.

### 7. to ride a quad bike

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal

to ride or drive a four-wheeled off-road vehicle.

For teachers: to operate or travel via a quad bike, typically in an off-road or recreational context.

- They went quadding in the desert during their holiday.
- The group spent the weekend quadding through the forest trails, despite the heavy rain and deep mud.

## Examples

- Students often eat lunch on the grass in the quad.
- The historic university buildings are arranged around a central quad where graduation ceremonies are held each summer.
- While the library offers a quiet space for research, the quad serves as the social heart of the campus, facilitating informal debates and student gatherings under the oak trees.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.