quite S1 W1 / kwaɪt / predeterminer , 副词
1 especially American English very, but not extremely → pretty :
The food in the cafeteria is usually quite good.
His hair is quite thin on top now.
Amy’s at college, and she’s doing quite well.
quite a something
He’s quite a good soccer player.
Grammar
Put quite before ‘a’ and an 形容词 and 名词 , not after ‘a’ :
It took quite a long time (NOT a quite long time).
2 especially British English fairly, or to a small extent, but not very → pretty :
The film was quite good, but the book was much better.
I got a letter from Sylvia quite recently.
quite like/enjoy
I quite like Chinese food.
3 quite a lot/bit/few a fairly large number or amount :
He’s got quite a lot of friends.
Quite a few towns are now banning cars from their shopping centres.
4 [ + 形容词 / 副词 ] British English completely :
I’m sorry. That’s quite impossible .
What she’s suggesting is quite ridiculous!
I think you’ve had quite enough to drink already!
That’s quite a different matter.
5 not quite not completely :
They weren’t quite ready so we waited in the car.
I’m not quite sure where she lives.
Dinner’s almost ready, but not quite .
6 not quite why/what/where etc not exactly why, what, where etc :
The play wasn’t quite what we expected.
7 quite a something/quite some something British English used before a 名词 to emphasize that something is very good, large, interesting etc :
That was quite a party you had.
The engines make quite a noise.
It’s quite some distance away.
8 quite a/some time especially British English a fairly long time :
We’ve been waiting for quite some time now.
9 quite right British English used to show that you agree strongly with someone :
‘I refuse to do any more work.’ ‘Quite right. They can’t expect you to work for nothing.’
10 that’s quite all right British English used to reply to someone that you are not angry about something they have done :
‘I’m sorry we’re so late.’ ‘That’s quite all right.’
11 quite/quite so British English formal used to show that you agree with what someone is saying 同义词 exactly :
‘They really should have thought of this before.’ ‘Yes, quite.’
12 quite something especially British English used to say that someone or something is very impressive :
It’s quite something to walk out on stage in front of 20,000 people.
THESAURUS
rather/quite especially British English more than a little, but less than very. British people often use these words before 形容词 in conversation. In many cases they do not intend to change the meaning – it is just something that people say : She seemed rather unhappy. | It’s rather a difficult question. | It’s getting quite late. | Malaria is rather common in this area.
fairly rather. Fairly is used in both British and American English : The test was fairly easy. | It’s a fairly long way to the next town.
pretty spoken rather. Pretty is more informal than the other words and is used in spoken English : Her French is pretty good. | We’re in a pretty strong position.
reasonably to a satisfactory level or degree : He plays reasonably well. | Let’s just say that I am reasonably confident we’ll win.
moderately formal more than a little, but not very : Her family was moderately wealthy. | The food was moderately good, but not as good as the food in the other restaurants. | Use a moderately high heat. | a moderately difficult climb
somewhat formal fairly or to a small degree. Somewhat is used especially when talking about the size or degree of something. It is often used in comparatives : The celebrations were somewhat larger than last year’s. | He looked somewhat irritated. | a somewhat surprising decision