quality meaning and definition

QUALITY noun

Definition of quality (noun)

1. an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone
   • "the quality of mercy is not strained"--Shakespeare
2. a degree or grade of excellence or worth
   • "the quality of students has risen"; "an executive of low caliber"
   • synonyms: caliber, calibre
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"
   • synonyms: character, lineament
4. (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"
   • synonyms: timber, timbre, tone
5. high social status
   • "a man of quality"

QUALITY adjective

Definition of quality (adjective)

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