quality

quality — noun

1. the degree to which something is good, useful, or satisfactory, especially when

1.nounA2
Definition

the degree to which something is good, useful, or satisfactory, especially when compared against other things of the same type

Example

The quality of the water in this area has improved since the treatment plant opened.

quality of [something]

Lakshmi checks the quality of every item before it leaves the factory.

check the quality of

Common collocations
  • high quality
  • poor quality
  • good quality
  • quality of
  • quality control
Synonyms
  • standard

    more specific about a required or expected level

  • grade

    suggests an official ranking or classification system

  • calibre

    used more for personal ability than for objects

Grammar Patterns

quality of [something]

[adjective] quality

Usage Note

This is the most general sense. It is commonly paired with adjectives like good, high, poor, or low to show a specific level. Quality is uncountable in this sense, so it takes a singular verb.

Common Mistakes

The quality of these products are very good.
The quality of these products is very good.
quality is uncountable here, so the verb must be singular.

2. a high standard that makes people trust or admire a product, service, or piece o

2.nounB1
Definition

a high standard that makes people trust or admire a product, service, or piece of work

Example

This restaurant is famous for its quality — the ingredients are always fresh.

famous/known for its quality

Christopher insists on quality even when buying everyday items like towels.

Common collocations
  • known for quality
  • quality matters
  • commitment to quality
  • quality and reliability
Synonyms
  • excellence

    stronger and more formal; suggests something is outstanding

  • superiority

    emphasises being better than others; more formal

  • value

    focuses on worth relative to price paid

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

known for quality

quality matters

Usage Note

Unlike sense 1, this sense does not indicate a degree — it simply implies that something has reached a high standard. Common in brand-promotion and reputation contexts.

Common Mistakes

We care about quantity, not quality.' (intended meaning reversed)
We care about quality, not quantity.
double-check you have not reversed the contrast.

3. the degree of comfort, health, and happiness that someone experiences in their e

3.nounB1
Definition

the degree of comfort, health, and happiness that someone experiences in their everyday existence

Example

Retirement has greatly improved her quality of life — she finally has time to paint.

improve quality of life

Noise from the airport reduces the quality of life for people living nearby.

Common collocations
  • quality of life
  • improve quality of life
  • good quality of life
  • reduce quality of life
Synonyms
  • well-being

    broader; includes emotional and physical health without the fixed-phrase pattern

  • standard of living

    focuses on material wealth and income rather than happiness

Grammar Patterns

quality of life

Usage Note

Almost always appears in the fixed phrase quality of life. It takes modifiers like good, poor, high, or low. Common in discussions about urban planning, healthcare, and social policy.

Common Mistakes

The quality of his life went up.
His quality of life improved.
the fixed phrase is quality of life, not quality of his life.

4. convenience-oriented design elements in software, games, or websites that make t

4.nounB2
Definition

convenience-oriented design elements in software, games, or websites that make the user experience smoother

Example

The latest patch added several quality-of-life improvements to the game menu system.

quality-of-life improvements

Auto-save is one of those quality features that users appreciate without noticing it.

Common collocations
  • quality-of-life features
  • quality improvements
  • quality changes
  • quality upgrades
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

quality-of-life [noun]

quality features

Usage Note

Used mainly in computing and gaming contexts, often as the compound modifier quality-of-life. Not used to mean a feature that is good — it specifically refers to convenience-focused design adjustments.

Common Mistakes

This game has great quality.' (ambiguous)
This game has great quality-of-life features.
to refer to convenience features, use the full compound or specify the domain.

5. a particular feature, attribute, or part of someone character that defines or di

5.nounB1
Definition

a particular feature, attribute, or part of someone character that defines or distinguishes them

Example

Patience is one of the qualities that make Hannah a great elementary school teacher.

[noun] is one of the qualities that

This fabric has a unique quality — it stays cool even under direct summer sunlight.

Common collocations
  • personal qualities
  • leadership qualities
  • quality of
  • positive qualities
  • desirable qualities
Synonyms
  • trait

    used mostly for personality; suggests a stable, inherited feature

  • attribute

    more abstract or assigned; can be positive or neutral

  • characteristic

    more neutral and technical; marks what makes something distinct

Grammar Patterns

quality of [someone/something]

[adjective] quality

Usage Note

Often used with of to specify who or what the quality belongs to (the quality of honesty; a quality of the leather). When describing people, it typically refers to positive traits, though it can be neutral for objects.

Common Mistakes

Being tired is a quality of this job.
Being tired is a feature of this job.
quality implies an inherent or lasting trait, not a temporary condition.

quality — adjective

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/5

Quality, characteristic, trait, attribute, and feature all describe something that defines or describes a person or thing, but they differ in use. Quality often implies an inherent and usually positive nature — patience is a quality of a good teacher, not just any trait. Characteristic is more neutral and technical, marking what makes someone or something distinct: a characteristic of this alloy is its resistance to rust. Trait is used almost exclusively for personality and behaviour, often implying a stable, inherited pattern: generosity is a family trait of the Garcias. Attribute is more abstract or assigned, often used in professional evaluations: speed is a key attribute for a wide receiver. Feature highlights visible, concrete, or designed aspects: the phone main feature is its camera. When you want to suggest something positive and deep-rooted, choose quality; for neutral description of what sets things apart, choose characteristic; for concrete selling points, choose feature.

quality ↗characteristic ↗trait ↗attribute ↗feature ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • quality of life

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

Quality comes from Latin qualitas, meaning 'of what kind,' formed from the interrogative pronoun qualis ('what kind of'). It passed through Old French qualite before entering English in the 1200s. The original sense was about the nature or kind of a thing — which then branched into both 'distinguishing characteristic' (sense 5) and 'degree of excellence' (sense 1). The adjective use is a more recent development, appearing in the 1900s.