Fourth vs. Quarter — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 3, 2024
Fourth refers to the position in a sequence or series, indicating the ordinal number after third, while quarter signifies a fraction, specifically one part of something divided into four equal parts.
Difference Between Fourth and Quarter
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The term "fourth" is primarily used as an ordinal indicator, denoting the position or rank of something within a sequence. For example, when referencing the fourth item in a list or the fourth day of the month, it emphasizes order within a series. On the other hand, "quarter" refers to a division or fraction, specifically one-fourth of a whole. This can apply to a wide range of contexts, from time, as in a quarter of an hour (15 minutes), to financial quarters that divide the fiscal year, or even to dividing an object into four equal parts.
In the context of time, while "fourth" could refer to a specific moment or position, such as the fourth hour after midnight (4:00 AM), a "quarter" refers to a fraction of an hour. Similarly, in finance, companies report their earnings over four quarters (Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4), each quarter representing a three-month period, which is a division of the year into four parts, not a sequence.
When it comes to measurements and quantities, "fourth" could be used to describe the sequence in which items are used or consumed (e.g., using ingredients in order), whereas "quarter" would be used to describe a portion of a quantity, such as a quarter of a cup of sugar.
The choice between "fourth" and "quarter" depends on whether the emphasis is on sequence and order or on division and fractions. While both terms mathematically represent the concept of one out of four parts, their applications in language and context distinguish their meanings significantly.
Comparison Chart
Definition
An ordinal number indicating the fourth position.
A fraction representing one-fourth of a whole.
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Context
Sequence, order.
Division, fractions.
Example Uses
Fourth place in a race, the fourth chapter of a book.
Quarter of an hour, a quarter of a dollar.
Significance
Emphasizes position or rank.
Denotes division or a part of something larger.
Applications
Timelines, sequences, order of events.
Financial terms, time, measurements, portions.
Compare with Definitions
Fourth
Position number four in a sequence.
She finished fourth in the marathon.
Quarter
One-fourth part of a whole.
He gave away a quarter of his earnings to charity.
Fourth
Pertains to rank or position.
The fourth chapter of the book introduces the main conflict.
Quarter
Represents 15 minutes in time.
We'll leave in a quarter of an hour.
Fourth
The ordinal form following third.
July Fourth celebrates Independence Day in the USA.
Quarter
A term used in time and finance.
The meeting is scheduled for the second quarter of the fiscal year.
Fourth
Used in sequences or series.
The fourth attempt was successful.
Quarter
Used for portions or fractions.
Add a quarter teaspoon of salt to the mixture.
Fourth
Indicates order, not fraction.
He was the fourth person to call.
Quarter
Denotes division or partition.
Cut the cake into quarters.
Fourth
The ordinal number matching the number four in a series.
Quarter
Each of four equal or corresponding parts into which something is or can be divided
A page and a quarter
A quarter of a mile
She cut each apple into quarters
Fourth
One of four equal parts.
Quarter
One fourth of a pound weight (avoirdupois, equal to 4 ounces).
Fourth
A tone four degrees above or below a given tone in a diatonic scale.
Quarter
The haunches or hindquarters of a horse
They have strong, muscular quarters
Fourth
The interval between two such tones.
Quarter
A part of a town or city having a particular character or use
A beautiful port city with a fascinating medieval quarter
Fourth
The harmonic combination of these tones.
Quarter
The direction of one of the points of the compass, especially as a direction from which the wind blows.
Fourth
The subdominant of a scale or key.
Quarter
Rooms or lodgings, especially those allocated to people in military or domestic service
They lived in RAF married quarters
Fourth
The transmission gear or gear ratio used to produce forward speeds next higher to those of third in a motor vehicle.
Quarter
Pity or mercy shown towards an enemy or opponent who is in one's power
The riot squad gave no quarter
Fourth
Fourth The Fourth of July; Independence Day. Used with the
Went to a parade on the Fourth.
Quarter
Each of four or more roughly equal divisions of a shield separated by vertical and horizontal lines.
Fourth
The ordinal form of the number four.
Quarter
Divide into four equal or corresponding parts
Peel and quarter the bananas
Fourth
(singular) The person or thing in the fourth position.
Quarter
Be stationed or lodged in a specified place
Many were quartered in tents
Fourth
A quarter, one of four equal parts of a whole.
Quarter
Range over or traverse (an area) in every direction
We watched a pair of kingfishers quartering the river looking for minnows
Fourth
(singular) The fourth gear of an engine.
Quarter
Display (different coats of arms) in quarters of a shield, especially to show arms inherited from heiresses who have married into the bearer's family
Edward III quartered the French royal arms with his own
Fourth
(music) A musical interval which spans four degrees of the diatonic scale, for example C to F (C D E F).
Quarter
One of four equal parts.
Fourth
(informal) To agree with a proposition or statement after it has already been thirded.
Quarter
A coin equal to one fourth of the dollar of the United States and Canada.
Fourth
Next in order after the third; the ordinal of four.
Quarter
One fourth of an hour; 15 minutes.
Fourth
Forming one of four equal parts into which anything may be divided.
Quarter
One fourth of a year; three months
Sales were up in the second quarter.
Fourth
One of four equal parts into which one whole may be divided; the quotient of a unit divided by four.
Quarter
An academic term lasting approximately three months.
Fourth
The interval of two tones and a semitone, embracing four diatonic degrees of the scale; the subdominant of any key.
Quarter
One fourth of the period of the moon's revolution around Earth.
Fourth
One coming next in order after the third.
Quarter
One of the two phases of the moon at which the moon, as viewed from Earth, appears to be half illuminated by the sun. The quarter phases mark the quarter and three-quarter points of the moon's revolution about the Earth.
Fourth
Following the third position; number four in a countable series
Quarter
(Sports) One of four equal periods of playing time into which some games, such as football and basketball, are divided.
Fourth
One of four equal parts;
A quarter of a pound
Quarter
One fourth of a yard; nine inches.
Fourth
The musical interval between one note and another four notes away from it
Quarter
One fourth of a mile; two furlongs.
Fourth
Coming next after the third and just before the fifth in position or time or degree or magnitude;
The quaternary period of geologic time extends from the end of the tertiary period to the present
Quarter
One fourth of a pound; four ounces.
Fourth
In the fourth place;
Fourthly, you must pay the rent on the first of the month
Quarter
One fourth of a ton; 500 pounds. Used as a measure of grain.
Quarter
Chiefly British A measure of grain equal to approximately eight bushels.
Quarter
One fourth of a hundredweight; 25 pounds.
Quarter
One fourth of a British hundredweight; 28 pounds.
Quarter
One of the four major divisions of the compass.
Quarter
One fourth of the distance between any two of the 32 divisions of the compass.
Quarter
One of the four major divisions of the horizon as determined by the four major points of the compass.
Quarter
A region or an area of the earth thought of as falling into such a specific division of the compass.
Quarter
(Nautical) The general direction on either side of a ship located 45° off the stern.
Quarter
The upper portion of the after side of a ship, usually between the aftermost mast and the stern.
Quarter
The part of a yard between the slings and the yardarm.
Quarter
(Heraldry) Any of four equal divisions of a shield.
Quarter
One leg of an animal's carcass, usually including the adjoining parts.
Quarter
Either side of a horse's hoof.
Quarter
The part of the side of a shoe between the heel and the vamp.
Quarter
Quarters A place of residence, especially the buildings or barracks used to house military personnel or their dependents.
Quarter
Often quarters A proper or assigned station or place, as for officers and crew on a warship.
Quarter
Often Quarter A specific district or section, as of a city
The French Quarter.
Quarter
Often quarters An unspecified person or group
Information from the highest quarters.
Quarter
Mercy or clemency, especially when displayed or given to an enemy.
Quarter
Being one of four equal or equivalent parts.
Quarter
Being one fourth of a standard or usual value.
Quarter
To divide into four equal or equivalent parts.
Quarter
To quartersaw.
Quarter
To divide or separate into a number of parts.
Quarter
To dismember (a human body) into four parts.
Quarter
(Heraldry) To divide (a shield) into four equal areas with vertical and horizontal lines.
Quarter
To mark or place (holes, for example) a fourth of a circle apart.
Quarter
To locate and adjust (one machine part) at right angles to its connecting part within the machine.
Quarter
To furnish with housing
Quartered the troops in an old factory building.
Quarter
To traverse (an area of ground) laterally back and forth while slowly advancing forward.
Quarter
To take up or be assigned lodgings.
Quarter
To cover an area of ground by ranging over it from side to side.
Quarter
A fourth part of something.
Quarter
(in general sense) Each of four equal parts into which something can be divided; a fourth part.
A quarter of an hour.
Quarter
A measure of capacity used chiefly for grain or coal, varying greatly in quantity by time and location.
Quarter
A fourth part of a pound; approximately 113 grams.
Quarter
(historical) A measure of length; originally a fourth part of an ell, now chiefly a fourth part of a yard.
Quarter
A fourth part of the night; one of the watches or divisions of the night.
Quarter
A fourth part of the year; 3 months; a term or season.
Quarter
(time) A fourth part of an hour; a period of fifteen minutes, especially with reference to the quarter before or after the hour.
Quarter
A fourth part of a hundredweight.
Quarter
(heraldry) A fourth part of a coat of arms, or the charge on it, larger than a canton and normally on the upper dexter side, formed by a perpendicular line from the top meeting a horizontal line from the side.
Quarter
(North America) A quarter-dollar, divided into 25 cents; the coin of that value minted in the United States or Canada.
Quarter
(sport) One of four equal periods into which a game is divided.
Quarter
A quarter of an acre or 40 roods.
Quarter
Place or position.
Quarter
A region or place.
Quarter
Each of four parts into which the earth or sky is divided, corresponding to the four cardinal points of the compass.
Quarter
A division or section of a town or city, especially having a particular character of its own, or associated with a particular group etc.
Quarter
One's residence or dwelling-place; in plural rooms, lodgings, especially as allocated to soldiers or domestic staff.
Quarter
A topic or area of endeavour.
Quarter
(nautical) The aftmost part of a vessel's side, roughly from the last mast to the stern.
Quarter
(farriery) The part on either side of a horse's hoof between the toe and heel, the side of its coffin.
Quarter
(often plural) A section (of a population), especially one having a particular set of values or interests.
Opposition to the policy came from an unexpected quarter, as well as from certain quarters which had historically opposed it
All quarters of the socialist movement; praise from Conservative quarters
Quarter
(obsolete) Relations between people.
Quarter
Accommodation given to a defeated opponent; mercy; exemption from being killed.
Quarter
Short forms.
Quarter
A quarterback.
Quarter
A quartermaster; a quartermaster sergeant.
Quarter
A quarterfinal.
Quarter
Pertaining to an aspect of a quarter.
Quarter
(chiefly) Consisting of a fourth part, a quarter (4, 25%).
A quarter hour; a quarter century; a quarter note; a quarter pound
Quarter
(chiefly) Related to a three-month term, a quarter of a year.
A quarter day is one terminating a quarter of the year.
A quarter session is one held quarterly at the end of a quarter.
Quarter
(transitive) To divide into quarters; to divide by four.
Quarter
(transitive) To provide housing for military personnel or other equipment.
Quarter the horses in the third stable.
Quarter
(intransitive) To lodge; to have a temporary residence.
Quarter
(transitive) To quartersaw.
Quarter
(obsolete) To drive a carriage so as to prevent the wheels from going into the ruts, or so that a rut shall be between the wheels.
Quarter
One of four equal parts into which anything is divided, or is regarded as divided; a fourth part or portion; as, a quarter of a dollar, of a pound, of a yard, of an hour, etc.
Scouts each coast light-armed scour,Each quarter, to descry the distant foe.
Quarter
A division of a town, city, or county; a particular district; a locality; as, the Latin quarter in Paris.
Quarter
Proper station; specific place; assigned position; special location.
Swift to their several quarters hasted thenThe cumbrous elements.
The banter turned as to what quarters each would find.
Quarter
A station or encampment occupied by troops; a place of lodging for soldiers or officers; as, winter quarters.
He magnified his own clemency, now they were at his mercy, to offer them quarter for their lives.
Cocks and lambs . . . at the mercy of cats and wolves . . . must never expect better quarter.
Quarter
Friendship; amity; concord.
In quarter, and in terms like bride and groom.
I knew two that were competitors for the secretary's place, . . . and yet kept good quarter between themselves.
Quarter
To divide into four equal parts.
Quarter
To divide; to separate into parts or regions.
Then sailors quartered heaven.
Quarter
To furnish with shelter or entertainment; to supply with the means of living for a time; especially, to furnish shelter to; as, to quarter soldiers.
They mean this night in Sardis to be quartered.
Quarter
To furnish as a portion; to allot.
This isle . . . He quarters to his blue-haired deities.
Quarter
To arrange (different coats of arms) upon one escutcheon, as when a man inherits from both father and mother the right to bear arms.
Quarter
To lodge; to have a temporary residence.
Quarter
To drive a carriage so as to prevent the wheels from going into the ruts, or so that a rut shall be between the wheels.
Every creature that met us would rely on us for quartering.
Quarter
One of four equal parts;
A quarter of a pound
Quarter
A district of a city having some distinguishing character;
The Latin Quarter
Quarter
One of four periods of play into which some games are divided;
Both teams scored in the first quarter
Quarter
A unit of time equal to 15 minutes or a quarter of an hour;
It's a quarter til 4
A quarter after 4 o'clock
Quarter
One of four periods into which the school year is divided;
The fall quarter ends at Christmas
Quarter
A fourth part of a year; three months;
Unemployment fell during the last quarter
Quarter
One of the four major division of the compass;
The wind is coming from that quarter
Quarter
A quarter of a hundredweight (25 pounds)
Quarter
A quarter of a hundredweight (28 pounds)
Quarter
A United States coin worth one fourth of a dollar;
He fed four quarters into the slot machine
Quarter
An unspecified person;
He dropped a word in the right quarter
Quarter
The rear part of a ship
Quarter
Piece of leather that comprises the part of a shoe or boot covering the heel and joining the vamp
Quarter
Provide housing for (military personnel)
Quarter
Pull (a person) apart with four horses tied to his extremities, so as to execute him;
In the old days, people were drawn and quartered for certain crimes
Quarter
Divide into quarters;
Quarter an apple
Quarter
Divide by four; divide into quarters
Common Curiosities
Can there be a fourth without a first, second, and third?
Conceptually, no. "Fourth" implies that there are at least three other items or periods in sequence before it.
Can fourth and quarter be used interchangeably?
No, they cannot be used interchangeably as "fourth" emphasizes order, and "quarter" refers to division into equal parts.
Is a quarter always one-fourth?
Yes, a quarter always represents one-fourth of a whole, regardless of the context.
Are quarters used outside of time and finance?
Yes, "quarters" can refer to any situation where a whole is divided into four equal parts, such as in measurements, portions of objects, or dividing groups.
What is the difference between fourth and quarter?
"Fourth" refers to a position or sequence, while "quarter" denotes a fraction or division of something into four equal parts.
How do I know whether to use fourth or quarter?
Use "fourth" when referring to sequence or order, and "quarter" when indicating a division or fraction of a whole.
Why do financial years use quarters?
Financial years are divided into quarters to facilitate more frequent reporting, planning, and assessment of a company's performance.
How do cultures differ in their use of fourth vs. quarter?
Cultural differences may not affect the basic definitions but can influence the contexts in which each term is more commonly used, such as fiscal quarters in business or quarters in educational terms.
Does fourth have a special meaning in any context?
While its primary meaning is ordinal, "fourth" can have specific significance in contexts like dates (e.g., July Fourth) or in expressions (e.g., fourth estate referring to the press).
Can something be divided into fourths instead of quarters?
Yes, dividing something into "fourths" is linguistically correct and emphasizes the act of division into four equal parts, similarly to "quarters."
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
