Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Showing results for "calibre"

calibre

British  
/ ˈkælɪbə /

noun

  1. the diameter of a cylindrical body, esp the internal diameter of a tube or the bore of a firearm

  2. the diameter of a shell or bullet

  3. ability; distinction

    a musician of high calibre

  4. personal character

    a man of high calibre

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word 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.

See Examples For:

However, he emphasised that, because of the "calibre of some of the people who've raised concerns", it is "important" that the evidence used to convict Letby is being examined by the CCRC.

From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2026

The Briton's victory in the final Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, following on from his first win of the season in Hungary last month, was of the highest calibre.

From BBC ● Aug. 23, 2026

Co, the police spokesman, also revealed the other weapon used in the shooting, a .38 calibre pistol, was registered to a security agency in Cebu City.

From Barron's ● Jun. 22, 2026

The keen photographer, 34, said he had seen shooting stars but never something of this "calibre", and was surprised to see what he believed was a "massive meteor flying through the sky".

From BBC ● Apr. 13, 2026

I first got an idea of its calibre when I heard him preach in his own church at Morton.

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training