Hi Moira It's right, but it doesn't tell the whole story. It's vastly oversimplified and therefore totally misleading. Of course we have both meanings in British English! The meaning of 'quite' depends on whether it is modifying a gradeable or ungradeable adjective. With a gradeable adjective, it means 'fairly' (quite tired/quite scary/quite good). With a non-gradeable adjective, it means 'totally' (quite exhausted/quite terrifying/quite wonderful). I believe that American English tends not to use 'quite' so much with the former meaning. I remember, some months ago, a learner wanted to know about different 'grades' of expressing the idea of liking something. A British member suggested 'I quite like ...' as a lukewarm expression of approval. I was surprised to see that most Americans were unfamiliar with the expression, and interpreted it as 'I like it very much'. I'd also be 'quite' (not to say 'very'' ..) interested to hear what other people have to say about this.

Wendy: Did you see the "Fatal Beatings" video on YouTube with Mr. Bean? There's a dialogue when some student's Father asked about his sons death. I think he asks; "Is he dead". Mr. Bean says; "Well, ummmmmm, ...deadish." So, deadish qualifies in this usage as either ....exactly and totally or almost or slightly. I think Mr. Bean is hilarious....ha ha ....."deadish" as though the boy could be somewhat dead, or "rather dead". Rather is another word which lends itself to the same kind of interpretation does it not? If asked; "Is he dead?" We could say; "Rather!" That would mean; Of course, absolutely!" Or it could mean; "Nearly dead." Is this fair to say? Are there other terms which are open to slight differences in interpretation? I just rememebered this. If I say; "Am I thorough?" You could say; "Quite." ...meaning completely. Or you could say; "Not quite". And you could also say; "Quite." Your tone, if sarcastic, would mean that it is only in my own imagination that I am thorough, right? [Oh, and hopefully you will not answer this entire post with, "Quite.". I will have a cow!"]

In my mind, 'quite' can mean 'fairly/somewhat' or 'very', but not 'completely/totally'. 'Quite dead' sounds as awkward to me as 'very dead' and 'somewhat dead'. It's the same with 'quite right'. 'Quite good' could mean both 'very good' and 'fairly good' to me, depending on how it's said. I'd interpret 'I quite like...' as 'I like... a lot'.

Yes, RCompass. It definitely has 2 meanings. It's the article on the website that is misleading. But Americans may feel it to mean only 'very' rather than 'fairly'.. it seems. See the answer by Su Ki.

Sorry. predeterminer UK.