quite

[kwahyt]

adverb

1. completely, wholly, or entirely.

   quite the reverse;

   not quite finished.

2. actually, really, or truly.

   quite a sudden change.

3. to a considerable extent or degree.

   quite small;

   quite objectionable.

quite

/ kwaɪt /

adverb

1. to the greatest extent; completely or absolutely

   you're quite right

   quite the opposite

2. (not used with a negative) to a noticeable or partial extent; somewhat

   she's quite pretty

3. in actuality; truly

   he thought the bag was heavy, but it was quite light

   it's quite the thing to do

4. (not used with a negative) of an exceptional, considerable, or noticeable kind

   quite a girl

   quite a long walk

5. a remarkable or noteworthy thing or person

1. Also: quite so. an expression used to indicate agreement or assent

Word History and Origins

Origin of quite¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of quite¹

C14: adverbial use of quite (adj) _quit

Example Sentences

“The strategy in Italy remains a question mark, with CA Italia still much smaller than peers in a consolidating market, and Germany remains quite a competitive market,” J.P.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The website of the federal agency that reports the number of people who apply for unemployment benefits each week shows that layoffs stayed quite low during the middle of the government shutdown.

Read more on MarketWatch

The website of the federal agency that reports the number of people who apply for unemployment benefits each week shows that layoffs stayed quite low during the middle of the government shutdown.

Read more on MarketWatch

It looks like Harvard University isn’t quite so green after all.

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Despite knowing the house-crush is inevitable, you still can’t quite believe the movie will go through with it — especially since the script has already sensitively adjusted one character’s fate.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• absolutely 
• actually 
• altogether 
• entirely 
• fully 
• largely 
• perfectly 
• really 
• thoroughly 
• totally 
• truly 
• utterly 
• wholly 

When To Use

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.