quit

¹

[ kwit ]

verb (used with object)

, quit or quit·ted, quit·ting.

1. to stop, cease, or discontinue:

   She quit what she was doing to help me paint the house.

   Antonyms: start

2. to depart from; leave (a place or person):

   They quit the city for the seashore every summer.

   Antonyms: enter

3. to give up or resign; let go; relinquish: She quit her job.

   He quit his claim to the throne.

   She quit her job.

   Synonyms: release, vacate

4. to release one's hold of (something grasped).
5. to acquit or conduct (oneself).
6. to free or rid (oneself): to quit oneself of doubts.
7. to clear (a debt); repay.

verb (used without object)

, quit or quit·ted, quit·ting.

1. to cease from doing something; stop.
2. to give up or resign one's job or position:

   He keeps threatening to quit.

3. to depart or leave.
4. to stop trying, struggling, or the like; accept or acknowledge defeat.

adjective

1. released from obligation, penalty, etc.; free, clear, or rid (usually followed by of ):

   quit of all further responsibilities.

quit

²

[ kwit ]

noun

1. any of various small tropical birds.

quit

/ kwɪt /

verb

1. tr to depart from; leave

   he quitted the place hastily

2. to resign; give up (a job)

   he quitted his job today

3. intr (of a tenant) to give up occupancy of premises and leave them

   they received notice to quit

4. to desist or cease from (something or doing something); break off

   quit laughing

5. tr to pay off (a debt); discharge or settle
6. archaic.
   tr to conduct or acquit (oneself); comport (oneself)

   he quits himself with great dignity

adjective

1. usually predicativefoll byof free (from); released (from)

   he was quit of all responsibility for their safety

Other Words From

• quitta·ble adjective
• un·quitted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of quit¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English verb qui(t)ten “to pay, acquit oneself,” from Old French quit(t)er, from Medieval Latin quittāre, quiētāre “to release, discharge,” Late Latin quiētare “to put to rest, quiet; ” quite ( def )

Origin of quit²

First recorded in 1845–50; originally Jamaican English, of uncertain origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of quit¹

C13: from Old French quitter, from Latin quiētus quiet ; see quietus

Idioms and Phrases

In addition to the idiom beginning with quit , also see call it quits .

Example Sentences

The survey found that 29% of 467 school superintendents interviewed reported that teachers and other staff quit their profession or left their districts “due to culturally divisive conflict.”

From Los Angeles Times

The prolific country songwriter discusses his new rock album, ‘Quit!!,’ and the fallout from a serious bus crash in 2022.

From Los Angeles Times

He still talks about Barcelona as "his club" but he found the pressure suffocating and quit after four seasons.

From BBC

Asked if she would quit the show if her sons made the request, she says she would.

From Los Angeles Times

Guzman, who had worked for Sectran for about 11 years, said he quit soon after.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• abandon
• break off
• cease
• conclude
• discontinue
• drop
• give up
• halt
• leave
• retire
• suspend
• terminate
• withdraw