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View synonyms for

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

/ ɲɪ /

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

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

    it's quite the thing to do

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

    quite a girl

    quite a long walk

  5. quite something
    a remarkable or noteworthy thing or person
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

sentence substitute

  1. Alsoquite so an expression used to indicate agreement or assent
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Usage

See very
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yvlog 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
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yvlog History and Origins

Origin of quite1

C14: adverbial use of quite (adj) quit
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Eating the rich has never been quite so putrid a task as watching “Death of a Unicorn,” a truly toothless satire that I’d struggle to even deem “half-baked.”

From

So these “Freaky Tales” are fun, if not quite satisfying.

From

You never know quite where you are now.

From

Even Republicans who aren’t quite ready to restrain Trump’s tariff power are admitting that he may have taken it too far.

From

In sentencing Amanda Fulton to four years the judge said she "failed to protect" P knowing her husband "was quite capable of causing him serious harm".

From

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More About Quite

What doesquite 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 doesquite 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?

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

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

How isquite 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.

Try usingquite!

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.

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