calibre
Britishnoun
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the diameter of a cylindrical body, esp the internal diameter of a tube or the bore of a firearm
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the diameter of a shell or bullet
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ability; distinction
a musician of high calibre
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personal character
a man of high calibre
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of calibre
C16: from Old French, from Italian calibro, from Arabic qālib shoemaker's last, mould
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
When asked about Klopp in an interview with The Athletic last month, Riquelme said: "Naturally, I would love for profiles of that calibre, and others like them, to coach this club."
From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026
In Shields, Price could face the calibre of opponent who would merit such a step up in venue.
From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026
He said the pair decided to write a song after attending a poetry reading together, praising the musician for being of the "highest calibre".
From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026
"It will be hard to find a man of his calibre," Nasreddine al-Maghribi told AFP at a cafe in Libyan capital Tripoli.
From Barron's • Dec. 24, 2025
We then switched to the black tennis situation in South Africa and, in particular, the conspicuous lack of champions of Arthur Ashe’s calibre.
From "Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography" by Mark Mathabane
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.