DictionaryAI

quite

KWYT/kwaɪt/

Often confused with quiet

5 meanings of quite

Practice

  1. 1
    adverb
    Fairly or rather, but not very or completely.

    Like filling a glass partway, not all the way to the top.

    The movie was quite good, but I've seen better.

    I'm quite tired after walking all day.

    UsageSay quite a big room. Quite is not quiet.

    Similarfairly, rather, pretty, reasonably

    Note
  2. 2
    adverb
    Completely or totally. Used to say something is fully true, as in 'quite right' or 'quite the best'.

    After the party, the cookie jar was quite empty.

    I haven't quite finished my homework yet.

    UsageUse not quite to mean not completely: not quite ready.

    Similarcompletely, entirely, totally, utterly, absolutely

    Oppositepartly, partially, slightly

    Note
  3. 3
    something specialadverb
    Really and truly. Often used before a or the and a noun to show that someone or something stands out.

    That was quite a storm last night, and half the town lost power.

    My uncle made pancakes for twenty people, so he's quite the cook.

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 4
    I agreeinterjectionUK
    Used on its own to say you fully agree, meaning 'exactly.'

    Like nodding hard and saying 'yes, exactly.'

    "This road is dangerous at night." "Quite."

    "That was a foolish thing to say." "Quite."

    UsageYou can also reply Quite so.

    Similarexactly, indeed, absolutely, agreed

    Note
  2. 5
    noun
    In bullfighting, a set of cape moves used to draw the bull away from someone in danger.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of quite apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

It comes from the word "quit," shaped by Anglo-Norman "quite." It is related to "coy," "quit," "quiet," and "quietus."

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts