Short answer: “quark” can mean a tiny particle in physics, a fresh cheese, German slang for nonsense, a Star Trek character, a polar expedition company, a Minecraft mod, a software brand and a valid Wordle word. The right meaning depends on where you see it.
1. Quark in physics
A quark is a basic particle that builds protons and neutrons. There are six kinds: up, down, charm, strange, top and bottom. Learn more in the six quark flavours and quark vs atom.
2. Quark the cheese
In German-speaking countries and elsewhere, quark is a soft, fresh, creamy cheese made from soured milk. See what is quark cheese.
3. Quark as slang
In German, saying something is “Quark” can mean it is nonsense. More in quark in German.
4. Quark in Star Trek
Quark is a Ferengi bar owner on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Read who is Quark.
5. Quark Expeditions
A company that runs polar cruises to Antarctica and the Arctic. See our Antarctica guide. We are an independent site and not connected to the company.
6. The Quark Minecraft mod
A popular mod that adds vanilla-style features to Minecraft. See what the Quark mod adds.
7. Quark in software
The name is also used by a company known for page-layout software.
8. Quark in Wordle
QUARK is a valid five-letter Wordle guess. Read is quark a Wordle word.
How to know which meaning is which
- Talking about atoms or science? The particle.
- Talking about food or recipes? The cheese.
- Talking about a show or a character? Star Trek.
- Talking about trips and ships? Quark Expeditions.
- Talking about games? Minecraft or Wordle.
Quick FAQ
Which meaning came first?
The cheese word is much older. The particle name came in 1964.
Is the particle named after the cheese?
Not directly. See quark meaning and origin and Murray Gell-Mann.