First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1quality
noun qual·i·ty \ˈkwä-lə-tē\
: how good or bad something is
: a characteristic or feature that someone or something has : something that can be noticed as a part of a person or thing
: a high level of value or excellence
plural qual·i·ties
Full Definition of QUALITY
1
2
a : degree of excellence : grade <the quality of competing air service — Current Biography> b : superiority in kind <merchandise of quality>
3
a : social status : rank b : aristocracy
4
a : a distinguishing attribute : characteristic <possesses many fine qualities> b archaic : an acquired skill : accomplishment
5
: the character in a logical proposition of being affirmative or negative
6
: vividness of hue
7
a : timbre b : the identifying character of a vowel sound determined chiefly by the resonance of the vocal chambers in uttering it
8
: the attribute of an elementary sensation that makes it fundamentally unlike any other sensation
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Origin of QUALITY
Middle English qualite, from Anglo-French qualité, from Latin qualitat-, qualitas, from qualis of what kind; akin to Latin qui who — more at who
Related to QUALITY
- Antonyms
- proletarians, proletariat
Synonym Discussion of QUALITY
quality, property, character, attribute mean an intelligible feature by which a thing may be identified. quality is a general term applicable to any trait or characteristic whether individual or generic <material with a silky quality>. property implies a characteristic that belongs to a thing's essential nature and may be used to describe a type or species <the property of not conducting heat>. character applies to a peculiar and distinctive quality of a thing or a class <remarks of an unseemly character>. attribute implies a quality ascribed to a thing or a being <the attributes of a military hero>.
2quality
adjective
: very good or excellent
: intended for people who are educated and who care about serious matters
Full Definition of QUALITY
: being of high quality
See quality defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of QUALITY
1936
Related to QUALITY
- Synonyms
- A-OK, A1, awesome, bang-up, banner, beautiful, blue-chip, blue-ribbon, boffo, bonny (also bonnie) [chiefly British], boss [slang], brag, brave, bully, bumper, capital, choice, classic, cool [slang], corking, crackerjack, cracking, dandy, divine, dope [slang], down [slang], dynamite, fab, fabulous, famous, fantabulous [slang], fantastic, fine, first-class, first-rate, first-string, five-star, four-star, frontline, gangbusters (also gangbuster), gilt-edged (or gilt-edge), gone [slang], grand, great, groovy, heavenly, high-class, hot, hype [slang], immense, jim-dandy, keen, lovely, marvelous (or marvellous), mean, neat, nifty, noble, number one (also No. 1), numero uno, out-of-sight [slang], par excellence, peachy, peachy keen, phat [slang], prime, primo [slang], prize, prizewinning, excellent, radical [slang], righteous [slang], sensational, slick, splendid, stellar, sterling, superb, superior, superlative, supernal, swell, terrific, tip-top, top, top-flight, top-notch, top-of-the-line, topping [chiefly British], top-shelf, unsurpassed, wizard [chiefly British], wonderful
QUALITY[1] Defined for Kids
1quality
noun qual·i·ty \ˈkwä-lə-tē\
plural qual·i·ties
Definition of QUALITY for Kids
1
: what sets a person or thing apart : characteristic <We must advertise Wilbur's noble qualities … — E. B. White, Charlotte's Web>
2
: how good or bad something is <The food is of excellent quality.>
3
: a high standard : excellence <His skill shows in the quality of his work.>
2quality
adjective
Definition of QUALITY for Kids
: very good : excellent <quality work> <quality chocolate>
Medical Dictionary
quality
noun qual·i·ty \ˈkwäl-ət-ē\
plural qual·i·ties
Medical Definition of QUALITY
: a special or distinguishing attribute: as a : timbre b : the attribute of an elementary sensation that makes it fundamentally unlike any other sensation c : the character of an X-ray beam that determines its penetrating power and is dependent upon its wavelength distribution
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