quantity
Quantity (noun) means an amount of something that can be measured or counted. Example: “The recipe calls for a small quantity of salt.”
How to use quantity
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHow much of something there is — a measurable amount.
Don't confuse with "quality," which describes how good something is rather than how much there is.
Word forms
quantities plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The recipe calls for a small _____ of salt.
Etymology
From Latin quantitas, built on quantus, meaning "how much."
Related words
Rhymes for quantity
See all rhymes for quantity →Frequently asked questions
What does “quantity” mean?
The word “quantity” means an amount of something that can be measured or counted. In plain terms, how much of something there is — a measurable amount.
How do you pronounce “quantity”?
“Quantity” is pronounced KWON-tih-tee (/ˈkwɑn(t)ɪti/ in IPA).
How do you use “quantity” in a sentence?
Here is “quantity” used in a sentence: “The recipe calls for a small quantity of salt.”
What is another word for “quantity”?
Words with a similar meaning to “quantity” include amount, magnitude and quantum.
What part of speech is “quantity”?
“Quantity” is a noun.
Where does the word “quantity” come from?
The word “quantity” comes from Latin. From Latin quantitas, built on quantus, meaning "how much.".
Is “quantity” a common word?
“Quantity” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between quantity and quality?
Quantity is how much or how many of something there is — an amount that can be measured or counted. Quality is how good something is. The phrase 'quality over quantity' means a smaller amount of something excellent beats a large amount of something mediocre.
What is the difference between quantity, amount, and number?
Number goes with countable nouns ('a number of coins'), and amount goes with uncountable ones ('an amount of water'). Quantity works with both, and it is especially natural where something is measured or ordered: 'a large quantity of sand' or 'a large quantity of bricks.'
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include quantity: