quite
quite — adverb
1. used before an adjective or participle that describes a complete or absolute qua
used before an adjective or participle that describes a complete or absolute quality, to add force and show that something is 100% that way — for example, being quite certain about a fact, or finding two things quite opposite in nature.
Xiu was quite sure she had locked the door before leaving.
quite + sure (non-gradable adjective for absolute certainty)
The two proposals are quite different from each other.
Kabir was quite right to raise that concern during the meeting.
Nadia's answer was quite wrong because she had misread the question.
quite + wrong (absolute adjective meaning entirely wrong)
- quite sure
- quite certain
- quite right
- quite wrong
- quite different
- quite clear
- quite opposite
- totally
more informal, common in everyday speech
- entirely
slightly more formal, often used with abstract qualities
- completely
neutral and direct; the closest synonym
Grammar Patterns
quite + adjective (non-gradable)
quite + past participle
Usage Note
This sense combines only with non-gradable (absolute) words like right, wrong, sure, certain, different, opposite, clear. Do not use it with gradable adjectives such as big, small, hot, cold — that would produce the moderate meaning (sense 6) instead.
Common Mistakes
2. used alongside a negative word such as not when you lack full certainty about so
used alongside a negative word such as not when you lack full certainty about something, or when something does not turn out exactly as expected — for instance, not quite knowing the answer, or not quite finishing a task on schedule.
Obi did not quite understand what the teacher expected from the assignment.
did not quite + understand (expressing partial uncertainty)
Camille did not quite remember where she had left her phone.
The experiment did not quite match the results the team had predicted.
I am not quite ready to give my final answer on the offer.
not quite + ready (adjective showing incomplete readiness)
- not quite know
- not quite understand
- not quite remember
- not quite sure
- not quite ready
- not quite finished
Grammar Patterns
not + quite + verb
do not / does not / did not + quite + verb
Usage Note
Always appears with a negative (not or no) immediately before the verb. Common verb partners include know, understand, remember, see (meaning understand), grasp, finish, match. This sense does not occur in positive statements.
Common Mistakes
3. used to show strong support for what someone has just said — either by saying qu
used to show strong support for what someone has just said — either by saying quite on its own (like saying I agree completely), or by placing it before an adjective such as true or right to confirm that a statement matches your own view.
'The traffic has been terrible lately.' 'Quite.' Diego nodded in agreement.
standalone 'Quite' as a one-word agreement response
Matthew said the budget needed trimming, and Rachel replied, 'Quite right.'
'It would be wise to wait for more data before deciding.' 'Yes, quite.'
The chairperson noted that costs were rising too fast, and several members murmured, 'Quite so.'
fixed phrase 'quite so' for formal agreement
- quite right
- quite true
- quite so
- quite correct
- exactly
more widely used across all English varieties
- absolutely
stronger emphasis; common in both British and American English
- indeed
more formal; used in both written and spoken contexts
Grammar Patterns
quite (as a one-word response)
quite + adjective (true, right, correct)
Usage Note
Primarily British English; speakers from other regions may not use this sense naturally. In American English, speakers would more likely say 'Absolutely' or 'Exactly' instead. The standalone response 'Quite.' can sound formal or old-fashioned to younger listeners.
Common Mistakes
4. placed before a or an to stress that a person, thing, or situation goes beyond w
placed before a or an to stress that a person, thing, or situation goes beyond what people normally expect — whether in size, quality, interest, or degree. For instance, waiting takes quite a long time, or a party turns out to be quite an event with extraordinary details.
Xiu has earned quite a lot of money from her online store this year.
quite a lot of + noun (emphasising a large amount)
The wedding was quite an event with more than three hundred guests.
Tariq spent quite some time researching the history of the building.
quite some + noun (emphasising a long duration)
Lea served quite a feast that evening — everyone praised the dishes.
- quite a lot
- quite a few
- quite a while
- quite some time
- quite an experience
- quite a surprise
- remarkably
similar degree emphasis but placed after the verb
- rather a
stronger British nuance; more formal
- truly
places focus on genuineness of the quality
Grammar Patterns
quite a + noun
quite a + adjective + noun
quite some + noun
Usage Note
The pattern quite a / quite an is followed by either a noun on its own (quite a party) or adjective + noun (quite a long speech). Quite some is used with uncountable or plural nouns and emphasises large amount or long duration. This sense carries a tone of surprise or admiration.
Common Mistakes
5. placed immediately before certain adverbs to strengthen what you are saying — mo
placed immediately before certain adverbs to strengthen what you are saying — most often with frankly, simply, honestly, possibly, and literally — making your opinion or statement sound more forceful and direct.
Quite frankly, the proposal has too many problems to succeed.
quite frankly (fixed phrase introducing a blunt opinion)
Quite simply, the company cannot afford to hire more staff this year.
The film was quite possibly the funniest comedy Felix had ever seen.
quite possibly (emphasising likelihood)
Nadia was quite literally shaking with excitement after the announcement.
- quite frankly
- quite simply
- quite honestly
- quite possibly
- quite literally
- quite clearly
- absolutely
can replace quite frankly or quite simply in many contexts
- truly
similar strengthening effect but more emotional
- honestly
the adverb itself works with or without quite for emphasis
Grammar Patterns
quite + adverb (frankly, simply, honestly)
quite + possibly
Usage Note
Only works with a small, fixed set of adverbs: frankly, simply, honestly, possibly, literally, clearly. Do not invent new combinations such as quite hopefully or quite sadly — these are not natural. The phrase quite frankly often introduces a critical or direct opinion.
Common Mistakes
6. before a gradable adjective or adverb, to mean to a noticeable but not extreme d
before a gradable adjective or adverb, to mean to a noticeable but not extreme degree — less strong than very, but more than a little. For example, describing a room as quite warm means it is moderately warm, not very hot and not cold.
The weather in Taipei was quite warm for late November.
quite + gradable adjective (warm — moderate degree)
Diego found the novel quite interesting, though not his favourite.
The hotel was quite comfortable and the staff were helpful.
Rachel was quite surprised when she received the award.
quite + surprised (gradable past participle as adjective)
- quite good
- quite nice
- quite warm
- quite cold
- quite interesting
- quite big
- quite old
- quite well
Grammar Patterns
quite + adjective (gradable)
quite + adverb (gradable)
Usage Note
This sense is the standard British English use of quite before gradable adjectives (big, small, hot, cold, good, interesting, tired, surprised). In American English, quite before these adjectives more often means very rather than moderately. Learners should be aware of this regional difference: quite good in the UK means fairly good; in the US it can mean very good.
Common Mistakes
Used to say that someone or something is very impressive or unusual.
Maya gave quite a performance at the concert last night.
Is that quite the car you were hoping to buy?
quite the contrary
idiomUsed to strongly say that the opposite of what was just said is true.
He didn't seem upset; quite the contrary, he was smiling.
Do you think she dislikes it? Quite the contrary, she loves it.
quite a few
idiomA fairly large number of people or things.
Sara has read quite a few books this summer.
Quite a few students attended the lecture on Friday.
A large number or amount of something.
Diego spent quite a lot of money on his new camera.
There is quite a lot of traffic on the highway today.
quite some something
idiomA large amount of something, especially time or distance.
We have been waiting for quite some time now.
It took quite some effort to finish the project on time.
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: adverb/1
Quite in sense 1 places the emphasis on the speaker's own sense of certainty or completeness, while totally, entirely, completely, and wholly are more objective. Completely is the most direct and neutral synonym — it works in almost any context without sounding forced. Totally is more informal and common in casual conversation ('I totally forgot about the meeting'). Entirely has a slightly more formal, abstract feel, often paired with mental or conceptual words ('entirely different', 'entirely possible'). Wholly is the rarest of the group and appears mainly in formal or legal writing ('wholly owned subsidiary'). In everyday speech, quite (sense 1) feels more natural than wholly and is softer than totally. For instance: 'I am quite certain he will arrive on time' sounds confident but conversational; 'I am completely certain' sounds more decisive; 'I am totally certain' sounds emphatic but casual.
Common collocations
Phrases
- quite a few
- quite a lot
- quite a while
- quite some time
- quite the opposite
- quite the same
- quite frankly
- quite simply
- quite so
Etymology
Quite comes from Middle English quite (meaning entirely, completely), which was originally a variant of quit in the sense of 'free, clear, discharged'. Both go back to Old French quite, quitte ('free, clear, released from an obligation'), from Medieval Latin quittus, quietus, and ultimately from Latin quietus ('at rest, peaceful, free from disturbance'). The meaning moved from 'free from debt' to 'clear, entirely' to the modern senses of both 'completely' and 'to some degree'.