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quality Definition

qual·ity (kwôl′ə tē, kwäl′-)

noun pl. -·ties

  1. any of the features that make something what it is; characteristic element; attribute
  2. basic nature; character; kind
  3. the degree of excellence which a thing possesses
  4. excellence; superiority
  5. Now Rare position, capacity, or role
    1. Now Rare high social position
    2. Now Chiefly Dial. people of high social position
  7. Acoustics the property of a tone determined by its overtones; timbre
  8. Logic that characteristic of a proposition according to which it is classified as affirmative or negative
  9. Phonet. the distinctive character of a vowel sound as determined by the resonance of the vocal cords and the shape of the air passage above the larynx when the sound is produced

Etymology: ME qualite < OFr < L qualitas < qualis, of what kind: see quale

adjective

of high quality quality goods

quality Synonyms

quality

n.

  1. A characteristic

    attribute, trait, property, characteristic, character, feature, mark, point, endowment; see also characteristic.

  2. Essential character

    nature, essence, spirit, tone; see character 2.

  3. Grade

    class, kind, state, condition, caliber, merit, worth, excellence, stage, step, variety, standing, status, rank, group, place, position, repute; see also degree 2.

quality, the broadest in scope of these terms, refers to a characteristic (physical or nonphysical, individual or typical) that constitutes the basic nature of a thing or is one of its distinguishing features the quality of mercy; property applies to a quality that belongs to a thing by reason of the essential nature of the thing elasticity is a property of rubber; character, in this connection, is the scientific or formal term for a distinctive or peculiar quality of an individual or of a class, species, etc. a hereditary character; an attribute is a quality assigned to a thing, esp. one that may reasonably be deduced as appropriate to it omnipotence is an attribute of God; trait specif. applies to a distinguishing quality of a person's character enthusiasm is one of his outstanding traits

quality Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • improve: Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang is helping to improve air quality with a cleaner, quieter engine.
  • enhance: Care is intended to be of the highest possible standard so as to enhance the quality of life of patients, carers and families.
  • assure: They are supported by a network co-ordinator, and parents can access quality assured childcare at no extra cost.
  • ensure: Training advice staff Four training events for 30 CAB advisers per event on consumer guarantees will help to ensure a high quality of advice.
  • assess: The likert scale ratings are an attempt to assess the quality of the observed practice.
  • deliver: An example would be a delivered image quality of 0.45 arcsec when 0.3 arcsec was requested.

Converse of subject

impress: Even the most cynical could not fail to be impressed by the quality of the presentations this year.

Adjective modifier

  • high: A classic value: high quality plus a great price.
  • poor: The reasons behind poor water quality at Bournemouth Pier have not always been obvious.
  • sound: The Dualit digital kitchen radio offers the most advanced sound quality.
  • good: The audio cassettes used with the recorder should also be good quality.
  • superior: Support for the claims of the superior nutritional quality of organic milk has also been provided by an Aberdeen University study.

Modifies a noun

  • assurance: Quality assurance of the results has now been completed.
  • control: Even better than customer service would be quality control.
  • standard: It is also required in the quality standard ISO 9001.

Noun used with modifier

  • air: Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang is helping to improve air quality with a cleaner, quieter engine.
  • water: The reasons behind poor water quality at Bournemouth Pier have not always been obvious.
  • picture: The picture quality is very sharp throughout, even during the more energetic boxing scenes.
  • data: Hard copy & Website OPR 43 7 pages Clinical coding data quality procedure.

Preposition: of

life: In addition the survey explores views on a wider range of issues relating to people's quality of life.