quality

Standard of excellence

Quality denotes one of the essential characteristics of something, without which it would not have the same identity: What qualities do you look for in a successful applicant?

From this core meaning arises a more frequent use of quality, to denote a degree of excellence, or excellence itself: The quality of the cheeses varied considerably. When I buy a car, money is no object; it’s quality I’m after.

When quality comes before another noun it can represent any of these meanings: quality control is the activity of insuring that quality is good and consistent.

Quality time is enjoyable time you spend with someone, free from distractions.

status

rank

Position in hierarchy

reputationCollective opinion of someone
standingPosition, physical or social
statureHeight or prestige

position · class · grade · tier · caliber · rating · distinction · condition · station · footing

attribute

characteristic

Distinguishing quality or trait

propertySomething owned or inherent
traitDistinguishing personal quality
featureDistinguishing quality or element

aspect · nature · essence · dimension · criterion · standard · specification · parameter · measure · indicator

excellence

perfection

Absence of any fault

superiorityHigher rank or quality
distinctionNotable difference or honor
preeminenceSuperior status above others

brilliance · supremacy · pinnacle · apex · zenith · transcendence · first-rate · top-notch · premium · elite

craftsmanship

artisan

Skilled manual tradesperson

handmadeCreated manually, not mechanically
precisionAccuracy of measurement
workmanshipSkill in creating objects

skill · tailoring · carpentry · woodworking · pottery · weaving · leatherwork · metalwork · joinery · finishing

reliability

durability

Resistance to wear

dependabilityConsistent trustworthy nature
consistencyReliable adherence to standards
robustnessResistance to failure

stability · resilience · longevity · trustworthiness · sturdiness · endurance · solidity · integrity · steadfastness · toughness

luxury

opulence

Showy, abundant prosperity

eleganceRefined, graceful quality
prestigeReputation commanding admiration
sophisticationCultured elegance and complexity

exclusivity · premium · haute · designer · refined · sumptuous · lavish · upscale · high-end · deluxe

purity

unadulterated

Completely unmixed, genuine

pristinePure and untouched
uncontaminatedFree from impurities
naturalNot artificially produced

organic · untainted · wholesome · refined · filtered · distilled · genuine · authentic · clean · undiluted

Categories

positive wordsyes, good, great, excellent, wonderful
abstract conceptsparadox, emotions, justice, truth, beauty
abstractionsidea, concept, abstraction, thought, meaning
adjustable settingsbrightness, volume, contrast, sensitivity, speed
business problemscash flow, hiring, staffing, payroll, expenses
buying factorsprice, cost, value, brand, convenience

Opposites

EXCELLENCE vs. INFERIORITY

qualityinferior

Of lower rank

shoddy · poor · substandard · low-grade · bad

ATTRIBUTE vs. AMOUNT

qualityquantity

Measurable amount present

amount · number · extent · volume · magnitude

ARISTOCRACY vs. COMMON PEOPLE

qualitycommonness

Frequency of occurrence

proletariat · proletarians · common people · lower-class · lowliness

Phrases

quality timeMeaningful interaction period
high qualityExcellence in construction or standard
quality of lifeGeneral life satisfaction
quality controlMaintaining production standards
poor qualityBelow acceptable standards
air qualityPollution level measurement

Family

qualify, qualified, unqualified, qualification, qualities, prequalification, qualifying, disqualify, disqualified

Familiarity: Top 20,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G