quite
adverb
kwaɪt 
kwaɪt 
1 (British English) (not used with a negative) to some degreeSynonym
fairly, prettyquite big/good/cold/warm/interestingHe plays quite well.I quite like opera.Help
When quite is used with an adjective before a noun, it comes before a or an. You can say: It's quite a small house or Their house is quite small but not It's a quite small house.2 (British English) to the greatest possible degreeSynonym
completely, absolutelySynonym
entirelyquite delicious/amazing/empty/perfectThis is quite a different problem.I'm quite happy to wait for you here.Flying is quite the best way to travel.It wasn't quite as simple as I thought it would be.Quite frankly, I don't blame you.I've had quite enough of your tantrums.Are you quite sure?I quite agree.I don't quite know what to do next.Quite apart from all the work, he had financial problems.The theatre was not quite (= was almost) full.It's like being in the Alps, but not quite.‘I almost think she prefers animals to people.’ ‘Quite right too,’ said Bill.‘I'm sorry to be so difficult.’ ‘That's quite all right.’3 to a great degree; very; reallyYou'll be quite comfortable here.I can see it quite clearly. (North American English) ‘You've no intention of coming back?’ ‘I'm quite sorry, but no, I have not.’4 (also formal quite so) (British English) used to agree with somebody or show that you understand them‘He's bound to feel shaken after his accident.’ ‘Quite.’‘It's not something we want to have talked about.’ ‘Quite so.’Idioms
quite a/the something
(also informal quite some something) used to show that a person or thing is particularly impressive or unusual in some wayShe'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 a lot (of something)
(also British English informal quite a bit) a large number or amount of somethingThey drank quite a lot of wine.quite some something
1 a large amount of somethingShe hasn't been seen for quite some time.2 (informal) = quite a/the something
Usage note: quite / fairly / rather / prettyLook at these examples:The exam was fairly difficult.The exam was quite difficult.The exam was rather difficult.Quite is a little stronger than fairly, and rather is a little stronger than quite. Rather is not very common in North American English; pretty has the same meaning and this is used in informal British English too: The exam was pretty difficult.In British English quite has two meanings: I feel quite tired today (= fairly tired). With adjectives that describe an extreme state (‘non-gradable’ adjectives) it means ‘completely’ or ‘absolutely’: I feel quite exhausted. With some adjectives, both meanings are possible. The speaker’s stress and intonation will show you which is meant: Your essay is quite good (= fairly good — it could be better); Your essay is quite good (= very good, especially when this is unexpected).In North American English quite usually means something like ‘very’, not ‘fairly’ or ‘rather’. Pretty is used instead for this sense.