Quite good
What it really means
A tricky one. In British English "quite" often weakens the praise, so "quite good" can mean "okay, but not great" — slightly disappointing. With strong stress on "good" it can mean genuinely good. Americans use "quite" to mean "very", which causes confusion.
Context, tips & common mistakes
The trap here is that "quite" behaves differently depending on the adjective. With ordinary gradable adjectives (good, nice, big) British "quite" usually weakens: "quite good" sits below "good". But with extreme or absolute adjectives it strengthens: "quite brilliant", "quite impossible", "quite right" all mean completely. American English uses "quite" as "very" across the board, which is why transatlantic misunderstandings are so common. For learners the practical stakes are highest in feedback: if a British tutor calls your essay "quite good", read it as "acceptable, could be better" and ask what would lift it; if a friend says your cooking is "quite nice", do not expect a second helping request. Stress changes everything — "quite GOOD" with emphasis and raised eyebrows can be genuine approval. When you want to give clear praise yourself, drop "quite" entirely: "really good" is unambiguous everywhere in the UK.