quite

[kwahyt] /kwaɪt/

adverb

completely, wholly, or entirely:

quite the reverse; not quite finished.

actually, really, or truly:

quite a sudden change.

to a considerable extent or degree:

quite small; quite objectionable.

Origin

1300-50; Middle English, adv. use of quit(e), a variant of quit(te) quit¹, the meaning of the two forms not being distinct in Middle English

Can be confused

quiet, quit, quite.

Examples from the web for quite

Immune system is quite complex and the particular area of learning capability of the immune system isnt understood completely.
The design has worked well, but not quite as expected.
He started when he was quite young and was successful when he was quite young.
The leaves stay sweet on the plant for quite a while without turning bitter.
I'm sure he was quite an awkward person, but he was also electrifying.
The sauce is quite hot, so use sparingly.
These ocean currents make the seas quite rough and often contribute to strong storms.
Everyone said she had quite an average walk and quite an average voice.
New findings provide more evidence that the animals are, in fact, quite crafty.
For upcoming global warming the current separation of continents might make thinks quite different, though.

British Dictionary definitions for quite

quite

/kwaɪt/

adverb

to the greatest extent; completely or absolutely: you're quite right, quite the opposite

(not used with a negative) to a noticeable or partial extent; somewhat: she's quite pretty

in actuality; truly: he thought the bag was heavy, but it was quite light, it's quite the thing to do

(not used with a negative) quite a, of an exceptional, considerable, or noticeable kind: quite a girl, quite a long walk

quite something, a remarkable or noteworthy thing or person

sentence substitute

Also quite so. an expression used to indicate agreement or assent

very

Word Origin

C14: adverbial use of quite (adj) quit

Word Origin and History for quite

adv.

early 14c., adverbial form of Middle English quit, quite (adj.) "free, clear" (see quit (adj.)). Originally "thoroughly;" the weaker sense of "fairly" is attested from mid-19c.