WordGarden.ioquality
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /kwˈɒlɪti/
US
- /ˈkwɑləti/
Meanings
Noun
the standard of how good, excellent, or well made something is
a characteristic or feature that someone or something has
Adjective
of a high standard; excellent
Beyond the definition
Quality is not just about how good something is; it is also about what makes it that way. Think of a perfectly ripe strawberry: its sweetness, color, and firm texture give it high quality. But the word can also refer to a trait in a person. Someone might be praised for qualities like honesty and kindness. It is a word we use for products, experiences, and people. You might say a chef uses high-quality ingredients, or that a strong friendship depends on qualities like trust and loyalty.
The word "quality" has a surprisingly broad range of meanings, all circling around the idea of inherent characteristics and standards. At its most basic, quality refers to the degree of excellence something possesses. A high-quality car will be reliable, comfortable, and well-made. We often talk about "quality control" in manufacturing – ensuring products meet certain standards before they're sold.
But "quality" isn't limited to physical objects. It can describe abstract things too. The quality of light on a summer evening, the quality of mercy (as Shakespeare famously wrote), or the qualities that make someone a good leader – these all refer to defining characteristics and attributes.
You'll also encounter "quality" when discussing levels or grades. A "first-rate" performance is one of high quality, while something described as "substandard" lacks it. In legal contexts, the quality of evidence can determine the outcome of a case.
Think of it this way: everything has qualities – those inherent features that define what it is. When we use "quality" to describe something, we're focusing on how well those qualities measure up to our expectations or standards. So whether you're assessing a product, judging a performance, or describing a person, "quality" is about the essence of what makes something valuable, excellent, or simply… itself.
Examples
- 1
Customer service
The company is known for the quality of its customer service.
- 2
Print quality
We chose the more expensive printer because the print quality was much better.
- 3
Manufacturing
The factory is under pressure to improve quality without raising prices.
- 4
Air quality
Poor air quality keeps many people indoors on hot summer days.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Research results
Several mistakes in the survey affected the quality of the results.
- 6
Quality control
The company added more checks to improve quality control.
- Phrasequality control
checking products or work to keep standards high
- 7
Character traits
One of his best qualities is that he stays calm in a crisis.
- 8
Family time
We try to have some quality time together after the kids go to bed.
- Phrasequality time
time together that feels special or meaningful
- 9
Daily life
Safe streets and affordable housing both affect quality of life.
- Phrasequality of life
how comfortable and satisfying daily life is
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- high quality
- poor quality
- quality control
- quality of life
Explore
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- qualitynounadjective
Forms
- qualitiespluralnounadjective