Definition

1. Adverb:
   • To a significant or noticeable degree; fairly, rather: Used to modify adjectives and other adverbs, indicating a degree that is considerable but not extreme.
   • Completely, entirely, absolutely: Used to emphasize that something is total, whole, or without reservation, often before adjectives like "right," "different," or "sure."
   • Used for emphasis before a noun phrase: Used with "a" or "an" to add emphasis, often expressing that something is remarkable or noteworthy.

Usage and Examples

• As an adverb of degree (fairly, rather):
  • The movie was quite interesting. (It was fairly interesting.)
  • It took quite a long time to finish. (It took a rather long time.)
  • I feel quite tired after the trip.
• As an adverb of completeness (completely, entirely):
  • You are quite right about that. (You are completely correct.)
  • The two situations are quite different. (They are entirely different.)
  • I haven't quite finished my homework. (I have not completely finished it.)
• For emphasis before a noun:
  • That was quite a party! (It was a remarkable party.)
  • She's quite a talented musician. (She is a very talented musician.)
  • We had quite an adventure. (We had a significant adventure.)

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• "Quite" vs. "Very": "Quite" can sometimes be less strong than "very." However, with gradable adjectives (e.g., good, big), "quite" often means "fairly." With non-gradable/extreme adjectives (e.g., amazing, perfect, impossible) or with "a/an + noun," it means "completely" or "truly."
  • The food was quite good. (Fairly good.)
  • The view was quite amazing. (Truly/completely amazing.)
• "Not quite": Used to mean "not completely" or "not entirely."
  • The bottle is not quite empty.
  • I don't quite understand the instructions.
• "Quite so": A formal expression used to show full agreement.
  • "It seems we have a problem." – "Quite so."

Variants and Related Words

• Quieten (verb): (Chiefly British) To become quiet or to make something quiet.
  • The audience quietened down.
• Quiet (adjective/adverb/noun): Making little or no noise; calm.
  • Please be quiet.

Synonyms

• Rather: To a certain extent; fairly. (e.g., )
• Fairly: To a moderate degree. (e.g., )
• Completely: Totally; in every way. (e.g., )
• Absolutely: With no qualification, restriction, or limitation. (e.g., )

Related Phrases and Idioms

• Quite a few: A fairly large number; many.
  • There were quite a few people at the concert.
• Quite something: Used to say something is very impressive or remarkable.
  • Winning that award is quite something.
• Quite the opposite: Used to strongly contradict a previous statement; completely different.
  • He isn't lazy; quite the opposite, he works very hard.

Adverb

1. actually or truly or to an extreme
   • was quite a sudden change
   • it's quite the thing to do
   • quite the rage
   • Quite so!
2. of an unusually noticeable or exceptional or remarkable kind (not used with a negative)
   • her victory was quite something
   • she's quite a girl
   • quite a film
   • quite a walk
   • we've had quite an afternoon
3. to the greatest extent; completely
   • you're quite right
   • she was quite alone
   • was quite mistaken
   • quite the opposite
   • not quite finished
   • did not quite make it
4. to a degree (not used with a negative)
   • quite tasty
   • quite soon
   • quite ill
   • quite rich