quite

1. 1
   adverb

   To a moderate extent or degree; fairly or rather, without reaching the full degree, including before 'a' or 'an' with an adjective and noun.

   The lecture was quite interesting, though it ran a little long.

   The hotel room was quite large for the price we paid.

   UsageWith a/an, it usually comes first: quite a big room. Don't confuse quite with quiet.

   Similarfairly, rather, pretty, reasonably

   Note

   The moderating sense pulls in the opposite direction from the completive ones, so one phrase can carry either reading. A warning that the basement is quite wet means "rather wet," not "soaked through." The adjective usually decides. Gradable words such as interesting or spacious invite the "rather" reading, while with dead, which has no middle degree, quite can only mean the "completely" use.

2. 2
   adverb

   To the fullest extent or degree; completely, entirely, or truly, so that what follows fully holds, as in 'quite impossible', 'quite mistaken', or 'quite the finest'.

   The engineers concluded that finishing the bridge before winter was quite impossible.

   I had quite forgotten that the meeting was moved to Tuesday.

   UsageWith words like impossible or forgotten it means completely; not quite means not completely.

   Similarcompletely, entirely, totally, utterly, absolutely

   Oppositepartly, partially, slightly

   Note

   Full strength is the point here, yet the same spelling also carries the much milder "somewhat", so context has to decide. Beside words that already name a complete state, such as impossible or forgotten, nothing is left to soften, and the word can only mean entirely.

3. 3
   something specialadverb

   Truly, in the fullest sense of what follows; used especially before a or the and a noun, often with a hint of irony suggesting that someone or something is remarkable.

   The town's first street fair turned out to be quite an event, with a brass band and fireworks over the river.

   With his pressed suit and careful manners, Daniel was quite the gentleman at dinner.

   Note

   Instead of measuring, the word passes judgment: it says a description has been earned. Quite a storm is a storm worth talking about, and quite the cook is someone who deserves the title. Said with a raised eyebrow, the same phrase can turn into gentle mockery, as in quite the expert.

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