quite
kwyt
Quite (adv) means Completely or entirely. Example: “I'm not quite finished with the report yet.”
adv
1
Completely or entirely.
"I'm not quite finished with the report yet."
"She was quite certain she had locked the door."
"I don't quite understand what the instructions are asking me to do."
2
To a moderate or fairly high degree; rather.
"It's quite cold outside today."
"The film was quite good, although the ending felt a little rushed."
"She plays the piano quite well for someone who only started learning recently."
intj
1
Used to express agreement.
""The service here is dreadful." "Quite," she replied, glancing at her empty glass."
""That was unfair." "Quite.""
""Nobody asked us first." "Quite," said Dad, folding his newspaper with a frown."
How to use quite
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA flexible intensifier meaning either "completely" or "fairly/somewhat," depending on context.
Common mistake
"Quite good" in British English often means only moderately good (faint praise), while in American English it usually means very good — a common source of cross-Atlantic confusion.
UK vs US
Meaning can shift by dialect: British speakers often use "quite" to soften praise, Americans to intensify it.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- quites
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I'm not _____ finished with the report yet.
Etymology
Developed from "quit," ultimately from Latin quiētus — the same root behind "quiet" and "quietus."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for quite
See all rhymes for quite →Frequently asked questions
What does “quite” mean?
The word “quite” means completely or entirely. In plain terms, a flexible intensifier meaning either "completely" or "fairly/somewhat," depending on context.
How do you pronounce “quite”?
“Quite” is pronounced kwyt (/kwaɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “quite” in a sentence?
Here is “quite” used in a sentence: “I'm not quite finished with the report yet.”
What part of speech is “quite”?
Depending on how it is used, “quite” can be an adverb and an intj.
Where does the word “quite” come from?
The word “quite” comes from Latin. Developed from "quit," ultimately from Latin quiētus — the same root behind "quiet" and "quietus.".
Is “quite” a common word?
“Quite” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “quite” have?
“Quite” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: completely or entirely.
What is the difference between 'quite' and 'quiet'?
They look alike but are unrelated. 'Quite' (rhyming with 'kite') is an adverb meaning completely or, in British use, fairly — as in 'quite right.' 'Quiet' (two syllables) is an adjective or noun about the absence of noise — as in 'a quiet room.' Note that 'quiet' simply swaps the last two letters of 'quite.'
Does 'quite' mean 'completely' or 'fairly'?
It can mean either, and the sense depends on the phrase and the region. With absolute words it means completely — 'quite finished,' 'quite impossible.' With gradable adjectives, especially in British English, it often softens to 'fairly' or 'rather,' so 'quite good' may mean only moderately good. American English leans toward the 'completely' sense.
Is 'quite' a formal or informal word?
It is neutral and works in both formal and informal writing and speech, and people use it constantly in everyday conversation. Because its meaning can shift between 'completely' and 'fairly,' though, careful writers make sure the surrounding words signal the intended strength clearly, especially in formal or international contexts where a reader might misread it.
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