English Dictionary
Definition quite in British English
quite
adverb, predeterminer
What are red words?
Around 90% of spoken and written English relies on just 7,500 common words.
These words are highlighted in red and are ranked using a star system.
- One-star words are commonly used
- Two-star words are even more common
- Three-star words are the most frequently used
adverb, predeterminer
What are red words?
Around 90% of spoken and written English relies on just 7,500 common words.These words are highlighted in red and are ranked using a star system.
- One-star words are commonly used
- Two-star words are even more common
- Three-star words are the most frequently used
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.
It's quite impossible to keep the house clean when all the children are here.
I don't quite understand the problem.
They're doing a marvellous job, but they haven't quite finished.
'Are you ready?' 'Not quite.'
very
The organizers have achieved something quite extraordinary.
The hotel was dirty and the food was quite disgusting.
