quality

1 of 2

noun

qual·​i·​ty ˈkwä-lə-tē 

plural qualities

1

a

: peculiar and essential character : nature

her ethereal quality

—Gay Talese

b

: an inherent feature : property

had a quality of stridence, dissonance

—Roald Dahl

c

: capacity, role

in the quality of reader and companion

—Joseph Conrad

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

quality

2 of 2

adjective

: being of high quality

Synonyms

Noun

• caliber
• calibre
• class
• grade
• rate

Adjective

• A-OK
• A1
• awesome
• bang-up
• banner
• beautiful
• blue-chip
• blue-ribbon
• boffo
• bonny [chiefly British]
• bonnie
• boss [slang]
• brag
• brave
• bully
• bumper
• capital
• choice
• classic
• cool [slang]
• corking
• crackerjack
• cracking
• dandy
• divine
• dope [slang]
• down [slang]
• dynamite
• excellent
• fab
• fabulous
• famous
• fantabulous [slang]
• fantastic
• fine
• first-class
• first-rate
• first-string
• five-star
• four-star
• frontline
• gangbusters
• gangbuster
• gilt-edged
• gilt-edge
• gone [slang]
• grand
• great
• groovy
• heavenly
• high-class
• hot
• hype [slang]
• immense
• jim-dandy
• keen
• lovely
• marvelous
• marvellous
• mean
• neat
• nifty
• noble
• number one
• No. 1
• numero uno
• out-of-sight [slang]
• par excellence
• peachy
• peachy keen
• phat [slang]
• prime
• primo [slang]
• prize
• prizewinning
• radical [slang]
• righteous [slang]
• sensational
• slick
• splendid
• stellar
• sterling
• superb
• superior
• superlative
• supernal
• swell
• terrific
• tip-top
• top
• top-notch
• top-of-the-line
• top-shelf
• topflight
• topping [chiefly British]
• unsurpassed
• wizard [chiefly British]
• wonderful

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of quality in a Sentence

Noun

Honesty is a desirable quality.

Stubbornness is one of his bad qualities.

She has strong leadership qualities.

The house has many fine qualities.

His music has a primitive quality.

They offer quality at a reasonable price.

Adjective

The restaurant offers quality service.

The store sells quality furniture at reasonable prices.

It can be difficult to find quality childcare.

He had a quality education.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Determined to bring Franck back, Elsa begins trying to do the aliens’ bidding, which adds a slight ticking-clock quality to the narrative. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024

The JLab Talk Pro is a versatile USB microphone ideal for podcasters and remote workers seeking professional sound quality at an accessible price. —Shubham Yewale, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024

Adjective

Faced with these challenges, a regular business would likely lower costs (and potentially quality) or raise prices on the students who are ineligible for free or reduced meals. —Mark Dent, thehustle.co, 12 Oct. 2024

But the question remains whether quality private schools, interested in making a profit, will have any reason to build new locations in South or West Phoenix, where most parents can’t pay tuition beyond their $7,000 voucher. —Eli Hager, ProPublica, 12 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English qualite, from Anglo-French qualité, from Latin qualitat-, qualitas, from qualis of what kind; akin to Latin qui who — more at who

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1905, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing quality

• high quality
• quality assurance
• quality circle
• quality control
• quality of life
• quality point
• quality point average
• quality time
• star quality

Kids Definition

quality

noun

qual·​i·​ty

ˈkwäl-ət-ē

plural qualities

1

a

: basic and individual nature

a person with a kindly quality

b

: a basic characteristic

hardness is a quality of steel

2

: grade of excellence

food of high quality

3

: high social rank

marry a person of quality

4

: something that sets a person or thing apart

5

: timbre

Medical Definition

quality

noun

qual·​i·​ty ˈkwäl-ət-ē 

plural qualities

: 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

Legal Definition

quality

noun

qual·​i·​ty

plural qualities

1

: a special, distinctive, or essential character: as

a

: a character, position, or role assumed

those acts of ownership, which the person called to the succession can only do in quality of heir

—Louisiana Civil Code

b

: the character of an estate as determined by the manner in which it is to be held or enjoyed

2

: degree of excellence

made no warranties as to the product's quality