noun
quality
KWO-lih-tee
noun
1
The overall standard or excellence of something, as opposed to how much of it there is.
"The restaurant is known for the quality of its ingredients, not the size of its portions."
2
A particular characteristic or trait.
"Patience is one of her best qualities."
"The wood has a warm, grainy quality that suits the design."
How to Use Quality
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHow good something is, or a specific trait/feature that something has.
Common mistake
Don't confuse "quality" (how good) with "quantity" (how much) — they're often contrasted directly.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
high quality
quality time
a redeeming quality
Word Forms
qualities plural
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Fill the Gap
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The restaurant is known for the _____ of its ingredients, not the size of its portions.
Etymology
From Latin qualitas, coined by Cicero as a direct translation of the Greek poiotes, itself invented by Plato from poios, "of what kind."