quit

¹

[kwit]

verb (used with object)

quit, quitted, quitting. 

1. to stop, cease, or discontinue.

   She quit what she was doing to help me paint the house.

   Antonyms: start

2. to depart from; leave (a place or person).

   They quit the city for the seashore every summer.

   Antonyms: enter

3. to give up or resign; let go; relinquish: She quit her job.

   He quit his claim to the throne.

   She quit her job.

   Synonyms: release, vacate

4. to release one's hold of (something grasped).

5. to acquit or conduct (oneself).

6. to free or rid (oneself): to quit oneself of doubts.

7. to clear (a debt); repay.

verb (used without object)

quit, quitted, quitting. 

1. to cease from doing something; stop.

2. to give up or resign one's job or position.

   He keeps threatening to quit.

3. to depart or leave.

4. to stop trying, struggling, or the like; accept or acknowledge defeat.

adjective

1. released from obligation, penalty, etc.; free, clear, or rid (usually followed byof ).

   quit of all further responsibilities.

quit

²

[kwit]

noun

1. any of various small tropical birds.

quit

/ kwɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to depart from; leave

   he quitted the place hastily

2. to resign; give up (a job)

   he quitted his job today

3. (intr) (of a tenant) to give up occupancy of premises and leave them

   they received notice to quit

4. to desist or cease from (something or doing something); break off

   quit laughing

5. (tr) to pay off (a debt); discharge or settle

6. archaic,  (tr) to conduct or acquit (oneself); comport (oneself)

   he quits himself with great dignity

adjective

1. free (from); released (from)

   he was quit of all responsibility for their safety

Other Word Forms

• quittable adjective
• unquitted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of quit¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English verb qui(t)ten “to pay, acquit oneself,” from Old French quit(t)er, from Medieval Latin quittāre, quiētāre “to release, discharge,” Late Latin quiētare “to put to rest, quiet; ” quite ( def. )

Origin of quit²

First recorded in 1845–50; originally Jamaican English, of uncertain origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of quit¹

C13: from Old French quitter, from Latin quiētus _quiet ; see _quietus

Idioms and Phrases

• call it quits

Example Sentences

At the point they were ready to call it quits, the band was struggling to sell enough tickets to their shows to keep the dream alive.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Researchers say there are people in the United States who use kratom to alleviate anxiety and chronic pain or as a remedy for the symptoms associated with quitting opioids.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Recean said on Monday he will stay on as head of the government until a new cabinet is formed, adding he would then quit "public and political life".

Read more on Barron's

If they quit using the substance, they experience symptoms of withdrawal, which can range from irritability and nausea to paranoia and seizures.

Read more on Salon

A Macron loyalist who previously served as defence minister, Lecornu agreed after he quit to stay on for two extra days to talk to all political parties.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• abandon 
• break off 
• cease 
• conclude 
• discontinue 
• drop 
• give up 
• halt 
• leave 
• retire 
• suspend 
• terminate 
• withdraw