What is quite? Pronunciation and usage in English

quite means . Learn how to pronounce and use quite through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of quite

quiteadverb

/kwʌɪt/
Definition & pronunciation of quite

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "quite" in English. It's a tricky one for many learners! Here's a breakdown of the most common and accepted pronunciations:

1. The Most Common Pronunciation (American English):

  • ˈkwɪt (rhymes with "bit")
    • ˈqui – This part sounds like "quick" without the "ck". It's a short, sharp "ee" sound.
    • t – A simple, quick "t" sound.

2. The British English Pronunciation:

  • ˈkwaiť (rhymes with "way-it" but with a slightly different "ai" sound)
    • ˈkwai - This is where it gets a bit different. The "ai" sound is closer to the vowel sound in "eye" or "day". It's a rounded vowel, almost like you're saying "high" but with your lips more relaxed.
    • ť – A soft, almost subtle "t" sound. Think of it as a very quick, almost silent "t" that helps connect the "ai" sound to the "t".

Here’s a breakdown of the key differences:

Feature American English British English
First syllable /ˈkwɪk/ (like "quick") /ˈkwai/ (like "way")
Vowel sound (ai) Short "i" Rounded "ai"
“t” sound Clear “t” Very soft “t/ť”

Resources to Help You Hear the Pronunciation:

Tips for Learning:

  • Listen carefully: The best way to learn is to listen to native speakers.
  • Record yourself: Record yourself saying the word and compare it to the pronunciation in a dictionary.
  • Practice slowly: Don't try to rush it. Focus on getting the vowel sound right.

To help me give you more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • Which accent are you most interested in learning (American or British)?

Usage and examples with the word quite in English

Let's break down how to use the word "quite" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with a few different meanings and usages. Here's a detailed explanation:

1. As an Intensifier (Stronger than "very")

  • Meaning: This is the most common use. "Quite" adds emphasis to a statement, making it stronger than simply saying "very." It suggests a degree or extent.
  • Examples:
    • "I'm quite tired." (Stronger than "I'm very tired.")
    • "That was quite interesting." (Stronger than "That was very interesting.")
    • "She's quite smart." (Stronger than "She's very smart.")
    • "It’s quite cold today." (Stronger than “It’s very cold.”)

2. As an Adverb of Degree (Meaning "completely" or "totally")

  • Meaning: Here, "quite" indicates a state of being finished or done thoroughly. It suggests an absolute or total amount.
  • Examples:
    • "I've quite finished my homework." (Meaning: I’ve totally finished my homework – it's done.)
    • "He's quite lost." (Meaning: He's completely lost – he doesn't know where he is.)
    • "She's quite certain." (Meaning: She’s absolutely certain.)

3. As a Question Word (Asking for Confirmation)

  • Meaning: "Quite?" is used as a polite way to ask someone to repeat or elaborate on what they've said. It's a slightly more formal and gentle way of saying "I didn't hear you," "Could you repeat that?" or "What do you mean?"
  • Examples:
    • Person A: "I’m going to the store."
    • Person B: “Quite?” (Asking: “Could you repeat that?”)
    • Person A: “I’m going to the store.”
    • Person B: "I saw a blue car."
    • Person A: "Quite?” (Asking: "Are you sure you saw a blue car?")

4. Less Common Uses

  • “Quite” as a replacement for “pretty much” or “rather”: This is becoming more common, especially in informal conversation.
    • "I quite enjoyed the film." (Similar to "I pretty much enjoyed the film.")
    • "She quite likes pizza." (Similar to “She rather likes pizza.”)

Important Notes:

  • Don't overuse "quite." While it adds emphasis, too much use can make your speech sound stilted or pretentious.
  • Tone matters. When used as a question word ("Quite?"), it's usually delivered with a genuinely curious tone, not a challenging one.
  • Alternatives: Depending on the context, you might be able to use “really,” “very,” “totally,” or “completely” instead of “quite.”

Here's a quick summary table:

Usage Meaning Example
Intensifier Stronger than "very" I’m quite happy.
Degree of Finish Completely finished I've quite finished.
Question Word Asking for repetition Quite? What did you say?

To help me give you even more specific advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you interested in? (e.g., formal writing, casual conversation, a specific topic)

Synonyms for the word quite

Idioms of the word quite

quite a/the something
used to show that a person or thing is particularly impressive or unusual in some way
  • This is quite a different problem.
  • She's quite a beauty.
  • We found it quite a change when we moved to London.
  • He's quite the little gentleman, isn't he?
  • It must be quite some car.
quite the contrary
used to emphasize that the opposite of what has been said is true
  • I don't find him funny at all. Quite the contrary.
quite a few
a fairly large number
  • I've been there quite a few times.
quite a lot (of something)
a large number or amount of something
  • They drank quite a lot of wine.
quite some something
a large amount of something
  • She hasn't been seen for quite some time.
(informal)used to show that a person or thing is particularly impressive or unusual in some way

    Practice with vocabulary quite

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. The new security protocol is ______ robust, providing enhanced protection for sensitive data.
    2. After reviewing the preliminary data, the research team found the results to be ______ promising.
    3. The project timeline is ______ aggressive, requiring careful resource allocation to meet all milestones.
    4. To ensure clarity, please articulate your points ______ during the presentation.

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

    1. The recent economic forecast was _______ optimistic, suggesting a quicker recovery than initially predicted. A) barely B) quite C) somewhat D) rather

    2. I found the latest policy brief _______ comprehensive; it covered every relevant detail. A) rather B) somewhat C) quite D) merely

    3. The technical issue proved to be _______ challenging, requiring an expert to resolve it. A) barely B) remarkably C) quite D) mildly

    4. Please ensure that all team members are present _______ for the weekly status meeting. A) punctual B) punctually C) prompt D) quick

    5. Despite the unexpected difficulties, the negotiations concluded _______ successfully. A) highly B) entirely C) somewhat D) fairly

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. The project budget was somewhat tight, making it difficult to allocate resources. (Rewrite using "quite")
    2. I found her presentation extremely insightful and well-structured. (Rewrite using "quite")
    3. The company is very committed to sustainable business practices. (Rewrite without using "quite")

    Answer:

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. quite
    2. quite
    3. rather
    4. precisely

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

    1. B) quite, D) rather
    2. A) rather, C) quite
    3. B) remarkably, C) quite
    4. B) punctually
    5. A) highly, D) fairly

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. The project budget was quite tight, making it difficult to allocate resources.
    2. I found her presentation quite insightful and well-structured.
    3. The company is strongly committed to sustainable business practices.

    Comment ()