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
Explanation
Quite means "really," "completely," "rather," "exceptionally," or "actually." That's quite a lot of synonyms for one word! If you're quite sure, you're completely sure. If you're quite the athlete, you are exceptionally (or unusually) athletic. If it's quite cold outside, it's really cold. And if something is quite true, it actually is. Is that quite clear?
Vocabulary lists containing quite
Scrabble: Words that Begin with Q
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Selection Vocabulary 3, Unit 5
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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.
“He has quite the command presence. He’s highly respected throughout the agency.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 3, 2026
"I can't see any reason why he wouldn't because of what Andy has said about good growth. If this isn't good growth, I'm not sure what is, quite frankly."
From BBC • Jul. 3, 2026
All of this, Bugaj said, “unlocked a kind of spectacle filmmaking that the other models are not delivering quite as well.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 3, 2026
He may have lost some mainstream acceptance and his FX series, but has since lined his bank account and burnished his career quite handsomely.
From Salon • Jul. 3, 2026
I didn’t quite follow all that, but I had to admit it was impressive that she, at her age, a Chinese American woman, was purchasing a house.
From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu
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.
