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Glite Dictionary
quite a little

quite a little

3 6.6
A fairly large amount of something
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : bastante
  • I've saved quite a little money.

OK, putting my brush in, there's quite a little bit of kickback.

Examples

  • We received quite a little help from our friends during the project.

  • OK, putting my brush in, there's quite a little bit of kickback.

    STEPHANIE TOMS

  • -This is quite a little group you have.

    Fever Pitch (2005)

  • He/she's got quite a little pile.

    Blog text (23)

  • There were quite a little number of attendees at the event last night.

  • She contributed quite a little effort to make the fundraiser successful.

Synonyms

lot
vsquite a little
∞ 1.0

A large amount of something

is a similar general quantifier with a more conversational tone
plenty
vsquite a little
∞ 1.0

A large amount that is more than needed

focuses on large quantity alone rather than sufficiency or excess
deal
vsquite a little
∞ 1.4

A large amount of something

offers the same sense but in a more idiomatic multiword form
plenty of
vsquite a little
∞ 1.0

A large amount of something more than you need

expresses a considerable quantity without stressing sufficiency or excess
great deal
vsquite a little
677 1.6

A large amount of something, for example patience or money

expresses the same considerable quantity but in a shorter casual form
pile
vsquite a little
426 1.9

A heap of things put together

expresses large quantity more abstractly without physical heap imagery
quite a bit
vsquite a little
  • Informal
235 2.8

A fairly large amount

is the same idea but in a slightly different casual phrasing
stack
vsquite a little
182 1.0

A pile of things placed one on top of another

is a general way to say a considerable amount, not necessarily stacked
good deal
vsquite a little
163 1.0

A large amount of something often used with of

is the same broad amount idea but with a different common phrase
mountain
vsquite a little
  • Informal
140 3.2

A very large amount of something that is hard to deal with

is a plain expression for considerable quantity without dramatic metaphor
mass
vsquite a little
71 2.7

A large collection of things often including people

is the general term for considerable quantity without grouping imagery
heap
vsquite a little
  • Informal
54 1.4

A large amount of things often in a messy pile

refers to a large amount generally without implying disorder
slew
vsquite a little
  • Informal
46 5.7

A large number of things or people

is the same general large-quantity sense in conversational phrasing
wad
vsquite a little
27 4.6

A thick bundle of paper money

means a large amount in general, not limited to bundles or money
spate
vsquite a little
16 7.9

A large number of similar events happening in a short time

means a large quantity but without implying rapid sequence
raft
vsquite a little
  • Informal
14 5.9

A large number of things or people

is similar but tends to appear as a common conversational phrase
mint
vsquite a little
  • Slang
14 5.5

A large amount of money often gained quickly

is a general quantifier applying to many things, not money only
mess
vsquite a little
  • Informal
13 2.9

A large number or amount of something

is a general large-amount phrase not tied to specific contexts
sight
vsquite a little
  • Informal
11 7.8

A large number or amount of something

is the general idiomatic way to state considerable quantity in speech
passel
vsquite a little
  • Archaic
4 9.5

A large group of people or things

is similar but uses a distinct idiomatic multiword expression
tidy sum
vsquite a little
  • Informal
3 3.7

A fairly large amount of money that is nice to get

uses a broad quantity sense not tied to money specifically
peck
vsquite a little
  • Archaic
2 8.0

A large number of things used informally to mean a lot

expresses the same idea but with a different common idiom
hatful
vsquite a little
  • Informal
1 7.9

A large amount of something you can fit in a hat

gives a straightforward way to denote a considerable quantity without metaphor
much
vsquite a little
1 1.0

A large amount of something

is a comparable phrase used specifically to stress considerable quantity
heaps
vsquite a little
  • UK
7.9

To mean very much or a lot

shares the informal large-amount sense but is more fixed in phrasing

Antonyms

few
∞ 1.0

A small number of people or things

scant
30 5.5

A small amount that is barely enough

How Much

quite a little
  • Informal
3 6.6
much
1 1.0
some
∞ 1.0
a little
∞ 1.0
little
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

quite a little singular
quite a littles plural

Morphology

quite + a + little

The phrase is partially compositional: 'quite' (a degree modifier) modifies 'a little' (some amount), yielding 'quite a little' = 'a fairly large/considerable amount.' However, because 'little' normally means 'small', the intensified reading (meaning more than 'a little') relies on knowledge of English intensifier usage and may not be immediately predictable to a B1 learner without exposure, so it is only partially transparent.

Etymology

Quite a little may come from joining quite, which means 'very', with little, which means 'small', to make a surprising image: a 'little' that is actually quite noticeable. That's why quite a little today means 'a fairly large amount'.