Definition

1. Noun:

   • A characteristic property or attribute: An inherent or distinguishing feature that defines the nature of something or someone.
   • Degree of excellence or worth: The standard of something as measured against other things of a similar kind; the level of merit or value.
   • High social standing or rank: (Archaic) Superior social status or class.
   • The distinctive character of a sound: (Music) The timbre or tone color of a musical note, voice, or noise.

2. Adjective:

   • Of high grade or standard: Used to describe something that is of superior excellence or choice.
   • Of high social status: (Archaic) Describing people or families of superior social rank.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The quality of the fabric is exceptional. (The inherent standard of excellence of the fabric is very high.)
  • Honesty is a desirable quality in a friend. (Honesty is a positive characteristic in a friend.)
  • The soprano's voice had a warm, resonant quality. (The singer's voice possessed a distinctive, pleasing timbre.)

• Adjective:

  • They stayed at a quality hotel during their vacation. (They stayed at a hotel of a high standard.)
  • (Archaic) He was regarded as a man of quality. (He was considered a man of high social rank.)

Advanced Usage

• "Quality of life": The general well-being of a person or society, defined in terms of health, comfort, and happiness.

  • Improving public parks can enhance the quality of life for city residents.

• "In quality": Having a specified characteristic or attribute.

  • His advice was practical in quality.

Variants and Related Words

• Qualitative (adj): Relating to, measuring, or measured by the quality of something rather than its quantity.

  • The research involved a qualitative analysis of interview responses.

• Quality control (n): The process of maintaining standards in manufactured products by testing a sample against the specification.

  • The factory has strict quality control to ensure every item is perfect.

Synonyms

• Noun: Characteristic, attribute, property, feature, caliber, standard, grade, excellence, timbre (for sound).
• Adjective: Superior, high-grade, choice, select, prime.

Related Phrases

• A quality of: A certain characteristic or feeling that something has.
  • There was a quality of sadness in her voice.

Idioms

• "Quality time": Time spent giving someone your full attention, often to strengthen a personal relationship.
  • He makes sure to spend quality time with his children every weekend.

Adjective

1. of high social status
   • people of quality
   • a quality family
2. of superior grade
   • choice wines
   • prime beef
   • prize carnations
   • quality paper
   • select peaches

Noun

1. high social status
   • a man of quality
2. (music) the distinctive property of a complex sound (a voice or noise or musical sound)
   • the timbre of her soprano was rich and lovely
   • the muffled tones of the broken bell summoned them to meet
3. a characteristic property that defines the apparent individual nature of something
   • each town has a quality all its own
   • the radical character of our demands
4. a degree or grade of excellence or worth
   • the quality of students has risen
   • an executive of low caliber
5. an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone
   • the quality of mercy is not strained--Shakespeare