quite
Americanadverb
-
completely, wholly, or entirely.
quite the reverse;
not quite finished.
-
actually, really, or truly.
quite a sudden change.
-
to a considerable extent or degree.
quite small;
quite objectionable.
adverb
-
to the greatest extent; completely or absolutely
you're quite right
quite the opposite
-
(not used with a negative) to a noticeable or partial extent; somewhat
she's quite pretty
-
in actuality; truly
he thought the bag was heavy, but it was quite light
it's quite the thing to do
-
(not used with a negative) of an exceptional, considerable, or noticeable kind
quite a girl
quite a long walk
-
a remarkable or noteworthy thing or person
Usage
What does quite mean? Quite can mean “completely,” “truly,” or “very,” but it is also sometimes used to mean “somewhat.”Quite can be used to intensify the meaning of some adjectives, but it can also be used to soften the meaning of others.Example: The sky is quite dreary today.
Etymology
Origin of quite
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, adverb use of quit(e), a variant of quit(te) quit 1; the meaning of the two forms was not distinct in Middle English
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"In terms of dating some of the material, we have been quite lucky," says Kieran Manchip, a project officer with Archaeology Scotland.
From BBC
"When you meet her she doesn't quite fit the norm for an 18-year-old girl," her mum says.
From BBC
“We’ve been quite clear and explicit to say as things stand we are not adding any unit capacity,” said Western Digital’s CEO at a December conference.
From Barron's
"There's a few girls that I'm quite close with, and we all experience it," she said.
From BBC
And no one quite knows how to express it.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
