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

   quite the opposite

   you're quite right

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

   she's quite pretty

3. in actuality; truly

   it's quite the thing to do

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

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

   quite a girl

   quite a long walk

5. quite something
   quite something a remarkable or noteworthy thing or person

sentence substitute

1. Alsoquite so an expression used to indicate agreement or assent

Usage

See very

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

None of these, though, has inspired quite the same backlash as fluoride.

From The Daily Beast

The benefits of incumbency are quite potent, especially in the all-important area of raising campaign funds.

From The Daily Beast

The media tend to frame situations like this as aberrations, but in this case, quite the opposite is the truth.

From The Daily Beast

You have to acknowledge your age and position in life, for me quite a lot of those emotionally fueled songs were hormone songs.

From The Daily Beast

But quite unlike the schmuck, and this is the fun part, they never run up the white flag; indeed quite the opposite.

From The Daily Beast

Mrs. Wurzel was quite right; they had been supplied, regardless of cost, from Messrs. Rochet and Stole's well-known establishment.

From Project Gutenberg

She is quite true, but not wise, and your left hand must not know what your right hand is doing.

From Project Gutenberg

Solely over one man therein thou hast quite absolute control.

From Project Gutenberg

And furthermore, I imagine something else about this—quite unlike the old Bible—I imagine all of it periodically revised.

From Project Gutenberg

Sometimes the stems are quite bare; on other occasions they are partly branched; in any case the branches are short.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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

More About Quite

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.

Where does quite come from?

Evidence for the usage of quite in English is first recorded in the first half of the 1300s. It comes from a Middle English term that meant quit, and it is related to both quit and quiet.

Quite has quite a few slightly different meanings. It is often used to add some kind of emphasis, but sometimes it is used to do the opposite, so it can be quite confusing unless you can use the context of the sentence to figure out which meaning is intended. Quite can mean “completely” or “entirely,” as in quite the opposite or not quite done yet. It can also be used in ways that emphasize that something is considerable or exceptional, as in quite a lot or that was quite the adventure. However, quite can also mean “somewhat.” If someone says you’re quite intelligent, it may be unclear whether they’re saying you’re very intelligent or pretty intelligent (for your age, for example). (Feel free to take it as a compliment either way.)

Sometimes, quite is used as a sentence substitute, meaning it can be used in place of a sentence, usually in response to something. When used this way, it indicates agreement or an affirmative response (equivalent to yes).

Does quite have a lot of uses? Quite.

Did you know ... ?

What are some synonyms for quite?

• completely
• actually
• really
• truly
• very
• somewhat

What are some words that share a root or word element with quite? 

 

• quit
• quiet

What are some words that often get used in discussing quite?

• good
• adverb
• intensifier
• not

How is quite used in real life?

Quite is used quite commonly. Be careful when using it to mean “very” or “somewhat” so that the meaning isn’t unclear.

After 13 years of friendship I still don't hate you. It's quite the opposite. Happy birthday @michael5sos

— Calum Hood (@Calum5SOS) November 21, 2015

From someone who won't go to kitchen to fetch a glass of water to one managing whole kitchen inc cooking & cleaning – I've made quite a leap

— Baji Please (@BajiPlease) June 10, 2017

It's quite nice to see the rain again. I think the grass must be doing a happy dance.

— Paddington (@paddingtonbear) August 9, 2018

 

 

Try using quite!

Which of the following sentences does not use quite correctly?

A. This is quite nice.
B. That is quite the opposite of my intention.
C. I quite like this tea.
D. That dress is very quite.