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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Selection Vocabulary 3, Unit 5
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
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 some places, we've got rope bridges which really help them cross the roads, and our speed limits are quite low, so that helps them as well".
From BBC ● Oct. 20, 2026
It isn’t quite as worried about the data centers that will host that computing.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 19, 2026
Seasonal factors have been headwinds to the market since this past May Day, and yet the stock market has nevertheless performed quite well.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 19, 2026
When he wakes from a coma a week later, he doesn’t recognize Ellen, and you won’t quite either.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 19, 2026
Karli was gray in the face, and quite lifeless.
From "An Elephant in the Garden" by Michael Morpurgo
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions 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.
