First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1quit
adjective \ˈkwit\
Definition of QUIT
: released from obligation, charge, or penalty; especially : free
See quit defined for kids
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Origin of QUIT
Middle English quite, quit, from Anglo-French
Related to QUIT
- Synonyms
- disencumbered, free, shut (of), unburdened
2quit
verb
: to leave (a job, school, career, etc.)
: to stop doing (an action or activity)
: to stop working
quit also quit·tedquit·ting
Full Definition of QUIT
transitive verb
1
: to make full payment of : pay up <quit a debt>
4
intransitive verb
1
: to cease normal, expected, or necessary action <the engine quit>
2
: to give up employment
3
: to admit defeat : give up
See quit defined for English-language learners
Origin of QUIT
Middle English quiten, quitten, from Anglo-French quiter, from quite free of, released, from Latin quietus quiet, at rest
First Known Use: 13th century
Related to QUIT
- Synonyms
- bag, chuck, leave, resign (from), retire (from), step aside (from), step down (from), give notice, hang it up, have done (with)
- Antonyms
- stay (at)
Synonym Discussion of QUIT
stop, cease, quit, discontinue, desist mean to suspend or cause to suspend activity. stop applies to action or progress or to what is operating or progressing and may imply suddenness or definiteness <stopped at the red light>. cease applies to states, conditions, or existence and may add a suggestion of gradualness and a degree of finality <by nightfall the fighting had ceased>. quit may stress either finality or abruptness in stopping or ceasing <the engine faltered, sputtered, then quit altogether>. discontinue applies to the stopping of an accustomed activity or practice <we have discontinued the manufacture of that item>. desist implies forbearance or restraint as a motive for stopping or ceasing <desisted from further efforts to persuade them>.
3quit
noun
QUITTING Defined for Kids
quit
verb \ˈkwit\
quitquit·ting
Definition of QUIT for Kids
: to leave or stop doing something <quit a job> <quit smoking>
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