# quad

> English word · Noun · IPA /kwɑd/ · frequency rank #11,274

## Definitions
1. Clipping of quadrat.
2. Clipping of quadrat.
3. Clipping of quadrat.
4. A quadrangle (quadrangular courtyard).
5. A horse, from colloquial or humorous quadruped specifically for horse.
6. Something that is quadruple (four times) the usual amount, number, etc.
7. Something that is quadruple (four times) the usual amount, number, etc.
8. Something that is quadruple (four times) the usual amount, number, etc.
9. Something that is quadruple (four times) the usual amount, number, etc.
10. Clipping of quadruplet (“a set of four; one of a set of four”).
11. Clipping of quadruplet (“a set of four; one of a set of four”).
12. Clipping of quadruplet (“a set of four; one of a set of four”).
13. Clipping of quadruplet (“a set of four; one of a set of four”).
14. Clipping of quadruplet (“a set of four; one of a set of four”).
15. Clipping of quadruplet (“a set of four; one of a set of four”).
16. Clipping of quadruplet (“a set of four; one of a set of four”).
17. The quadriceps muscle.
18. Quadruplex videotape.
19. A quadriplegic person.
20. A unit of energy equivalent to a quadrillion BTU (10¹⁵ BTU).
21. A small off-road four-wheeled powered vehicle, usually used for recreation or farm work.
22. A quadrilateral.
23. A quadcopter.
24. A quadrupel beer.

## Etymology
Shortened, via clipping or abbreviation, from various English terms. Ultimately related to Latin quattuor (“4”); compare quadri-, quadruple.
The typography senses are from the abbreviation quad. for obsolete quadrat; the keyboard command comes from the verb sense.

## Easily confused with
- **que** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/quad-vs-que)
- **quo** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/quad-vs-quo)
- **quit** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/quad-vs-quit)
- **quiz** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/quad-vs-quiz)
- **quid** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/quad-vs-quid)
- **quay** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/quad-vs-quay)
- **quip** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/quad-vs-quip)
- **qual** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/quad-vs-qual)
- **Quran** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/quad-vs-quran)
- **quasi** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/quad-vs-quasi)
- **quake** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/quad-vs-quake)
- **quail** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/quad-vs-quail)
- **quark** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/quad-vs-quark)
- **quart** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/quad-vs-quart)
- **quads** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/quad-vs-quads)
- **quash** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/quad-vs-quash)
- **quant** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/quad-vs-quant)
- **qu** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/qu-vs-quad)
- **qua** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/qua-vs-quad)
- **Qian** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/qian-vs-quad)

## Common misspellings (5)
`qaud`, `qquad`, `quadd`, `quda`, `uqad`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/quad