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.
That left him having a different risk-reward balance on the final lap and he did not have quite enough to beat his team-mate.
From BBC • Jun. 27, 2026
This is particularly unsettling in the case of Pankhurst, who is given a personality quite at odds with the documentary record.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 26, 2026
I had a stroke, and bits of my brain aren’t quite working right.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 26, 2026
That may be true, especially since Carlson seems to be quite the homebody these days, which isn’t conducive to running a national campaign.
From Salon • Jun. 26, 2026
Karli, though, seemed quite happy to be tramping alongside Marlene, holding her trunk and talking to her all the time.
From "An Elephant in the Garden" by Michael Morpurgo
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.
