quit - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
quit Word Meanings
- to stop doing something
- to leave a place
- to resign from a job
quit Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
quit Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/kwɪt/
US
/kwɪt/
quit Word Etymology
The word 'quit' comes from the Latin 'quietus' meaning 'at rest' or 'free'. In Middle English, it evolved through Old French as 'quiter', coming to signify leaving or freeing oneself from an obligation. Imagine someone finally sitting down after a long day to rest, symbolizing the act of quitting.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
At the edge of the desk, I shift my weight and push the off switch on a stubborn habit. I move my hand away, turn off the lamp, and adjust my plan, choosing to quit late-night scrolling. The effort tightens my jaw, a small pressure as I shift gears. When I set the phone aside and stand, the room quiets a bit and a new pace begins to feel possible.
Real Context
Quit is a versatile English verb that means to stop doing something, to leave a place, or to resign from a job. When you quit an activity, you end your participation by choice, often after weighing costs and benefits. You can quit a habit, quit smoking, or quit drinking, using phrases like quit cold turkey. When you quit a place, you leave, as in quitting a club or a classroom. Quitting a job is often framed as resigning, but quit is more informal than resign; you might say I quit my job rather than I resign from my job. The word carries a sense of finality, sometimes abrupt.
Usage Reminders
- • Learn the main collocations: quit a job, quit a habit, quit a place.
- • Distinguish quit from resign and leave.
- • Use quitting with gerunds: quitting smoking, quitting drinking.
- • Be aware of tone: quit is informal; use resign for formal resignations.
- • Remember you quit something, not from something.
- • Colloquial emphasis: quitting can feel abrupt or decisive.
Common Misconceptions
- Quit is only about jobs.
- Quit means you were fired or forced to stop.
- You can say quit from a place, like quit from the club.
- Quit and leave have exactly the same tone in all contexts.
- If you quit, it always sounds abrupt and rude.
Thinking Differences
Think in terms of agency and finality: quit often signals a direct, voluntary, and sometimes abrupt action, whereas leave or resign can be more neutral or formal. Learners frequently mix the nuance, using quit for formal resignations or in places where a softer tone is better.
Learning Tips
- Learn the main collocations: quit a job, quit a habit, quit a place.
- Distinguish quit from resign and leave by context and formality.
- Use quitting with gerunds: quitting smoking, quitting drinking.
- Match tone to context: formal settings favor resign; casual settings use quit.
- Remember the structure: quit + something (you quit a habit) or quit + place (you quit the club).
- Practice short, decisive scenarios to convey finality without sounding rude.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'quit'?
A.To begin
B.To continue
C.To stop or resign
D.To learn
Step 2: Usage
Which sentence uses the word 'quit' correctly?
A.I will never quit my love for chocolate.
B.She couldn't quit smiling when she heard the news.
C.He decided to quit the race halfway through.
D.Quit the book on the shelf.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is most similar to 'quit'?
A.Finish
B.Continue
C.Commence
D.Pause
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'quit'?
A.Proceed
B.Cease
C.Begin
D.Persevere
Step 5: Mastery
Can you think of a real-life context where someone might 'quit'?
A.I plan to start a new hobby next week.
B.She was determined to achieve her goals.
C.He decided to give up learning piano.
D.They are considering a new job opportunity.
Related Listening
🔥 Advanced
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