Quite vs. Quiet: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on January 28, 2024
Quite is an adverb meaning 'to a considerable extent or degree.' Quiet is an adjective or noun meaning 'lacking noise or sound.'
Key Differences
Quite is used as an adverb to emphasize the degree or extent of something. It's often used to indicate that something is more than average, but not extremely. For example, "She was quite happy with the results" implies she was more than just happy, but not overly so. Quiet, as an adjective, describes a lack of noise or sound. It denotes an environment or situation that is peaceful or not loud. When saying "The library is quiet," it emphasizes the low level of noise.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 28, 2024
Quite can also suggest completeness or totality in some contexts. Saying "The project is quite finished" implies that the project is completely done. Quiet, when used as a noun, refers to a state of calmness or silence. In the phrase "The quiet of the countryside," quiet is a condition of serenity and minimal disturbance.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 28, 2024
In expressions, quite is used to affirm or agree, but with some reservations. Phrases like "That's quite true" or "I quite understand" indicate agreement but not full endorsement. Quiet, as an adjective, can also describe someone as reserved or not inclined to speak much. Describing someone as "a quiet person" suggests they are not overly talkative or loud.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 28, 2024
The usage of quite varies with British and American English. In British English, quite can mean 'fairly' or 'moderately,' whereas in American English, it often implies 'very' or 'completely.' Quiet, irrespective of dialect, maintains its meaning as 'silent' or 'calm.' This consistency makes quiet a more straightforward term compared to quite.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 28, 2024
Quite can be used for emphasis without changing the adjective it modifies, such as in "quite interesting" or "quite difficult." It doesn't alter the fundamental meaning of the adjective but intensifies it. Quiet is often used to set a mood or describe an environment, as in "a quiet evening" or "a quiet street," focusing on the absence of noise or disturbance.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 28, 2024
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Comparison Chart
Primary Usage
To indicate degree or extent.
Describing lack of noise or sound.
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Jan 28, 2024
Variance in Dialects
Different meanings in British and American English.
Consistent meaning across dialects.
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Jan 28, 2024
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Quite and Quiet Definitions
Quiet
Making or characterized by little or no noise
A quiet library.
A quiet street.
A quiet, well tuned engine.
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Jan 05, 2024
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Quiet
Free of turmoil and agitation; calm
A quiet lake.
A quiet place in the country.
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Jan 05, 2024
Quiet
Providing or allowing relaxation; restful; soothing
A quiet afternoon nap.
A quiet tune on the flute.
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Jan 05, 2024
Quite
To the greatest extent; completely
Quite alone.
Not quite finished. See Usage Note at perfect.
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Jan 05, 2024
Quiet
Out of public scrutiny; known or discussed by few
Wanted to keep the incident quiet until after the election.
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Jan 05, 2024
Quiet
The quality or condition of being quiet
"A menacing quiet fills the empty streets" (Time).
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Jan 05, 2024
Quiet
To make (a title) secure by freeing from uncertainties or adverse claims as to the ownership.
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Jan 05, 2024
Quite
With attributive adjectives, following an (especially indefinite) article; chiefly as expressing contrast, difference etc.
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Jan 05, 2024
Quiet
With little or no sound; free of disturbing noise.
I can't hear the music; it is too quiet.
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Jan 05, 2024
Quite
Preceding nouns introduced by the indefinite article. Chiefly in negative constructions.
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Jan 05, 2024
Quiet
Having little motion or activity; calm.
The sea was quiet
A quiet night at home
All quiet on the Western front
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Jan 05, 2024
Quiet
Not busy, of low quantity.
The traffic was quiet for a Monday morning.
Business was quiet for the season.
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Jan 05, 2024
Quiet
Not talking much or not talking loudly; reserved.
He's a very quiet man usually, but is very chatty after a few beers.
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Jan 05, 2024
Quite
Coming before the indefinite article and an attributive adjective. (Now largely merged with moderative senses, below.)
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Jan 05, 2024
Quiet
Not showy; undemonstrative.
A quiet dress
Quiet colours
A quiet movement
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Jan 05, 2024
Quiet
(transitive) To cause (someone or something) to become quiet.
Can you quiet your child? He’s making lots of noise.
The umpire quieted the crowd so the game could continue in peace.
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Jan 05, 2024
Quite
Before a noun preceded by an indefinite article; now often with ironic implications that the noun in question is particularly noteworthy or remarkable.
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Jan 05, 2024
Quiet
(intransitive) To become quiet or calm.
When you quiet, we can start talking.
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Jan 05, 2024
Quiet
The absence of sound; quietness.
There was a strange quiet in the normally very lively plaza.
We need a bit of quiet before we can start the show.
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Jan 05, 2024
Quite
To a moderate extent or degree; somewhat, rather.
Mind your shoes, the basement is quite wet.
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Jan 05, 2024
Quite
Indicates agreement; exactly so.
“That's a rather ugly colour for a house, don't you think?” — “Quite.”
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Jan 05, 2024
Quite
(bullfighting) A series of passes made with the cape to distract the bull.
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Jan 05, 2024
Quiet
In a state of rest or calm; without stir, motion, or agitation; still; as, a quiet sea; quiet air.
They . . . were quiet all the night, saying, In the morning, when it is day, we shall kill him.
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Jan 05, 2024
Quite
Completely; wholly; entirely; totally; perfectly; as, the work is not quite done; the object is quite accomplished; to be quite mistaken.
Man shall not quite be lost, but saved who will.
The same actions may be aimed at different ends, and arise from quite contrary principles.
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Jan 05, 2024
Quiet
Not excited or anxious; calm; peaceful; placid; settled; as, a quiet life; a quiet conscience.
That son, who on the quiet state of manSuch trouble brought.
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Jan 05, 2024
Quite
To a great extent or degree; very; very much; considerably.
He really looks quite concerned.
The island stretches along the land and is quite close to it.
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Jan 05, 2024
Quiet
Not giving offense; not exciting disorder or trouble; not turbulent; gentle; mild; meek; contented.
The ornament of a meek and quiet spirit.
I will sit as quiet as a lamb.
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Jan 05, 2024
Quite
To a degree (not used with a negative);
Quite tasty
Quite soon
Quite ill
Quite rich
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Jan 05, 2024
Quiet
Not showy; not such as to attract attention; undemonstrative; as, a quiet dress; quiet colors; a quiet movement.
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Jan 05, 2024
Quite
To the greatest extent; completely;
You're quite right
She was quite alone
Was quite mistaken
Quite the opposite
Not quite finished
Did not quite make it
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Jan 05, 2024
Quiet
The quality or state of being quiet, or in repose; as an hour or a time of quiet.
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Jan 05, 2024
Quite
Of an unusually noticeable or exceptional or remarkable kind (not used with a negative);
Her victory was quite something
She's quite a girl
Quite a film
Quite a walk
We've had quite an afternoon
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Jan 05, 2024
Quiet
Freedom from disturbance, noise, or alarm; stillness; tranquillity; peace; security.
And join with thee, calm Peace and Quiet.
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Jan 05, 2024
Quite
Actually or truly or to an extreme;
Was quite a sudden change
It's quite the thing to do
Quite the rage
Quite so!
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Jan 05, 2024
Quiet
To stop motion in; to still; to reduce to a state of rest, or of silence.
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Jan 05, 2024
Quiet
To calm; to appease; to pacify; to lull; to allay; to tranquillize; as, to quiet the passions; to quiet clamors or disorders; to quiet pain or grief.
Quiet yourselves, I pray, and be at peace.
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Jan 05, 2024
Quiet
To become still, silent, or calm; - often with down; as, be soon quieted down.
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Jan 05, 2024
Quiet
The absence of sound;
He needed silence in order to sleep
The street was quiet
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Jan 05, 2024
Quiet
Become quiet or quieter;
The audience fell silent when the speaker entered
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Jan 05, 2024
Quiet
Characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity;
A quiet life
A quiet throng of onlookers
Quiet peace-loving people
The factions remained quiet for almost 10 years
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Jan 05, 2024
Quiet
Free of noise or uproar; or making little if any sound;
A quiet audience at the concert
The room was dark and quiet
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Jan 05, 2024
Quiet
In a softened tone;
Hushed voices
Muted trumpets
A subdued whisper
A quiet reprimand
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Jan 05, 2024
Quiet
Without untoward incident or disruption;
A placid existence
Quiet times
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Jan 05, 2024
Quiet
Free from disturbance;
A ribbon of sand between the angry sea and the placid bay
The quiet waters of a lagoon
A lake of tranquil blue water reflecting a tranquil blue sky
A smooth channel crossing
Scarcely a ripple on the still water
Unruffled water
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Jan 05, 2024
Quiet
Of the sun; characterized by a low level of surface phenomena like sun spots e.g.
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Jan 05, 2024
Quiet
With little or no activity or no agitation (`quiet' is a nonstandard variant for `quietly');
Her hands rested quietly in her lap
The rock star was quietly led out the back door
Sit here as quiet as you can
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 05, 2024
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Is a quiet life always peaceful?
Generally, but subjective to interpretation.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 28, 2024
Does quite mean the same in all English dialects?
No, there are variations.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 28, 2024
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Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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