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quite
[ kwahyt ]
adverb
- 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.
quite
/ kwaɪt /
adverb
- to the greatest extent; completely or absolutely
quite the opposite
you're quite right
- 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
- quite anot used with a negative of an exceptional, considerable, or noticeable kind
quite a girl
quite a long walk
- quite somethinga remarkable or noteworthy thing or person
sentence substitute
- Alsoquite so an expression used to indicate agreement or assent
Usage
Word History and Origins
Word History and Origins
Origin of quite1
Example Sentences
He said the only complaints Andrea initially made were that she "wasn't quite happy" with the treatments, and that is the reason she had "so many" follow-up appointments.
“Doc” can be a little corny, a little too obviously like television, when it comes to the cases, but is all in all quite entertaining.
"Whether or not it sells quite the levels it would have done in November, or whether it sells as well as they hope. I don't know," he said.
Few pleasures make cold cruelty warm the soul quite as well, because few look at the genre with such a knowing blend of appreciation and haughtiness.
"It was good to hear because often creative subjects are quite looked down upon."
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Related Words
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 ... ?
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.
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