quite */*/*/

UK [kwaɪt] / US adverb, predeterminer

Summary:

Quite can be used in the following ways: - as an adverb (before an adjective or adverb): I was quite angry with her. (before a verb): I quite agree with you. ♦ I can't quite decide which dress to wear today. (as an answer word): "I can't talk about it over the phone." "Quite. I understand." - as a predeterminer (followed by "a/an" and a noun): I was taking quite a risk when I decided to talk to him. (followed by "the" and a noun): That was quite the nicest party I've ever been to.
Differences between British and American English: quite:
In British English quite usually means "fairly": The film was quite enjoyable, although some of the acting was weak. When American speakers say quite, they usually mean "very": We've examined the figures quite thoroughly. Speakers of British English sometimes use quite to mean "very", but only before words with an extreme meaning: The whole experience was quite amazing.

1) to some degree fairly but not very

I was feeling quite tired after our walk.

They said the dog was quite badly injured.

quite a good/big etc something:

We had to wait for quite a long time.

There's quite a steep slope down to the river.

He was quite a good musician.

2) completely completely

Are you quite sure you know what to do?

It's quite impossible to keep the house clean when all the children are here.

I don't quite understand the problem.

The drawing's not quite right.

They're doing a marvellous job, but they haven't quite finished.

"Are you ready?" "Not quite."

3) used for emphasis very

The organizers have achieved something quite extraordinary.

The hotel was dirty and the food was quite disgusting.

4) [always in negatives] exactly used after a negative word to mean that something is not exactly correct or clear

I'm not sure that "respect" is quite the right word.

not quite what/why/how etc:

I don't know quite why you've come here and I suggest you leave.

We couldn't quite remember where you lived.

5) British spoken used for showing that you agree used for showing that you agree with what someone has said

"It's not the kind of behaviour we expect from a teacher." "Quite."

quite so:

"It is most important that the matter should be kept secret." "Quite so."

quite right:

"Some laws are meant to be broken." "Quite right."

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quite a/quite some — used before a noun for emphasizing that something is unusual or interesting

The news came as quite a surprise.

It was quite a competition.

He's been renting the house for quite some time.

They have to walk home and it's quite some distance.

quite frankly/honestly — spoken used for expressing your opinion in a way that sounds sincere and direct

Quite frankly, I don't care if he leaves.

Quite honestly, I don't think there's anything to worry about.

quite like/enjoy something — British to like or enjoy something, but not to a great degree

I quite like going to weddings, but I don't want to go to theirs.

We quite enjoyed our day out, in spite of the weather.

quite a lot/a bit/a few — a large number or amount

With a penny you could buy quite a lot of sweets in those days.

My family have moved around quite a bit since then.

His encouragement and interest inspired quite a few people to take up skiing.

quite the opposite/reverse — used for saying that something is the opposite of what has been suggested

"Was he angry?" "No, quite the opposite – he invited me to have dinner with him."

quite the worst/the best etc — British very much the worst/the best etc

He's quite the most difficult person I've ever met.

It's quite the best party I've been to in a long time.

- quite something

- quite the

- that's quite all right