Cited

Cited is the past participle of the verb cite. In ordinary use, cited appears in two main ways: as part of a verb phrase indicating that a source has been acknowledged (for example, “The author cited several studies”) and as an adjective describing sources or passages that have been referenced (“the cited works”). In academic databases and search interfaces, “Cited by” is a standard label showing how many other works have referenced a given item.

The word cite comes from Latin citare, meaning to summon or call forth, and is related to citation. The adjective cited and the noun citation share this root, signaling reference to external material or authority. In contrast to “cite” and “citing,” “cited” conveys that the action or reference has already occurred.

In scholarly writing, citing is essential for attribution, evidence, and traceability. Proper citation includes identifying the original source and providing enough information for readers to locate it. Style guides such as APA, MLA, and Chicago prescribe formats for in-text citations and bibliographies. Writers should use citations judiciously, distinguishing between direct quotations and paraphrase, and avoiding both under-citation and over-citation. The concept also informs bibliometric metrics, where “cited by” counts indicate an item’s influence within a field.