quite

 
Pronunciation: /kwʌɪt/

adverb

[usually as submodifier]
  • 1to the utmost or most absolute extent or degree; absolutely; completely: it’s quite out of the question are you quite certain about this? this is quite a different problem I quite agree quite frankly, I don’t blame you
  • US very; really (used as an intensifier): ‘You’ve no intention of coming back?’ ‘I’m quite sorry, but no, I have not.’
  • West Indian all the way: dresses quite from Port of Spain
  • 2to a certain or fairly significant extent or degree; fairly: it’s quite warm outside he’s quite an attractive man

exclamation

  • (also quite so) expressing agreement with or understanding of a remark or statement: ‘I don’t want to talk about that now.’ ‘Quite’

Phrases

not quite

not completely or entirely: my hair’s not quite dry she hasn’t quite got the hang of it yet

not quite the thing

dated
not well, healthy, or normal: I’m afraid Oliver isn’t feeling quite the thing this morning
socially unacceptable: it wouldn’t be quite the thing to turn up in a raincoat and wellies

quite a —— (also often ironic quite the ——)

used to indicate that the specified person or thing is perceived as particularly notable, remarkable, or impressive: quite a party, isn’t it? quite the little horsewoman, aren’t you?

quite a few

see few.

quite a lot (or a bit)

a considerable number or amount of something: my job involves quite a lot of travel he’s quite a bit older than she is

quite some

  • 1a considerable amount of: she hasn’t been seen for quite some time
  • 2informal way of saying quite a —— . Old Darlington was quite some place to live in

quite something

see something.

Origin:

Middle English: from the obsolete adjective quite, variant of quit1

Do not confuse quite with quiet. Quite means 'completely' ( are you quite certain?) or 'moderately' ( it’s quite warm outside), whereas quiet means 'making little or no noise' ( she spoke in a quiet voice).