quite

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.

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.

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

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

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.