Quality Meaning
/ˈkwɒlɪti/Definition, CEFR level A2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounLevel of excellence.
nounThe kind, condition, and/or the set of characteristics of something, as opposed to the quantity of something.
Sentence Examples
Air quality has deteriorated these past few years.
I'm very impressed with your quality control.
Improving the quality of care for nursing home residents is a priority.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The ____ of the hand-made furniture was so excellent that it won first prize.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The company prided itself on the ____ of its products and offered a lifetime guarantee.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English qualite, from Old French qualité, from Latin quālitās, quālitātem, from quālis (“of what kind”), from Proto-Indo-European *kʷo- (“who, how”). Cicero coined qualitas as a calque to translate the Ancient Greek word ποιότης (poiótēs, “quality”), coined by Plato from ποῖος (poîos, “of what nature, of what kind”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Tuc[ca]. […] Can thy Author doe it impudently enough? / Hiſt[rio]. O, I warrant you, Captaine: and ſpitefully inough too; he ha's one of the moſt ouerflowing villanous wits, in Rome. He will ſlander any man that breathes; If he diſguſt him. / Tucca. I'le know the poor, egregious, nitty Raſcall; and he haue ſuch commendable Qualities, I'le cheriſh him: […]"
— 1601, Ben Jonson, Poetaster or The Arraignment: […], London: […] [R. Bradock] for M[atthew] L[ownes] […], published 1602, →OCLC, Act III:
"“That's life,” she said, and buzzed off to keep her vigil, leaving me kicking myself because I'd forgotten to say anything about the quality of mercy not being strained. It isn't, as I dare say you know, and a mention of this might just have done the trick."
— 1960, P[elham] G[renville] Wodehouse, chapter XX, in Jeeves in the Offing, London: Herbert Jenkins, →OCLC:
"Something about his bearing was uncommitted, as though he were checking not for some bad quality he knew Feldman had, but for some good quality he was afraid he might have."
— 2010, Stanley Elkin, A Bad Man:
"“I'll tell you what you're going to do. Have you a clean shirt?” “Several.” “And a toothbrush?” “Two, both of the finest quality.” “Then pack them. You're coming to Brinkley tomorrow.”"
— 1960, P[elham] G[renville] Wodehouse, chapter I, in Jeeves in the Offing, London: Herbert Jenkins, →OCLC:
"A model for discriminating women! A "quality" coat in every sense!"
— 1930, Stella Blum, Everyday Fashion of the Thirties as pictured in Sears Catalogs, published 1986, page 4:
Explore More A2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The ____ of the hand-made furniture was so excellent that it won first prize.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The company prided itself on the ____ of its products and offered a lifetime guarantee.