Quite vs Very

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

	Quite	Very
Meaning	To a significant degree or extent; very.	used to emphasize something
CEFR level	A1	A1
Part of speech	adverb	adverb
Usage notes	Use 'quite' to emphasize an adjective or another adverb. It's often more at home in British English; in American English, 'really' can be more common in casual speech. Avoid using it in overly formal contexts.	Used to increase the intensity of adjectives or adverbs. Best for neutral situations; avoid in formal writing where 'extremely' may be preferred.

Frequently asked questions: Quite vs Very

What's the difference between "Quite" and "Very"?

"Quite" means: To a significant degree or extent; very. "Very" means: used to emphasize something

When should I use "Quite" and "Very"?

They can all be used in everyday English.

Are "Quite" and "Very" the same CEFR level?

"Quite" is at A1, "Very" is at A1 on the CEFR scale.