quite

quite [ kwaıt ] function word ***

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 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):

She's quite the little comedian.

1. ) to some degree

a ) 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.

b ) 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.

2. ) completely usually in negatives completely:

I don't quite understand the problem.

The drawing's not quite right.

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

Are you ready? Not quite.

3. ) used for emphasis

a ) very:

The organizers have achieved something quite extraordinary.

The hotel was dirty and the food was quite disgusting.

b ) 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.

c ) quite the worst/the best etc. BRITISH very much the worst/the best etc.

d ) quite the OLD-FASHIONED used for emphasizing your description or statement:

Young Cardew is quite the gentleman these days.

I believe that shoulder-length hair is quite the fashion.

4. ) exactly

a ) always in negatives 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.

b ) 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.

5. ) used for showing that you agree BRITISH SPOKEN used for showing that you agree with what someone has said:

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

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

quite frankly/honestly SPOKEN

used for expressing your opinion in a way that sounds sincere and direct:

Quite frankly, we will be very sorry to lose him.

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

quite a lot/a bit/a few

a large number or amount:

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

My family has moved around quite a bit since then.

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

quite something SPOKEN

used for saying that someone or something is very interesting or impressive:

I'll have to introduce you to her she's quite something.

that's quite all right SPOKEN

used when you reply to someone who has said they are sorry, in order to show them that you do not mind what they have done:

I hope I'm not disturbing you? No, that's quite all right.