qualitative

American  

[kwol-i-tey-tiv] / ˈkwɒl ɪˌteɪ tɪv /

adjective

1. pertaining to or concerned with quality or qualities.

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qualitative British  

/ ˈkwɒlɪtətɪv, -ˌteɪ- /

adjective

1. involving or relating to distinctions based on quality or qualities Compare quantitative

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Other Word Forms

• nonqualitative adjective
• qualitatively adverb

Etymology

Origin of qualitative

First recorded in 1600–10; from Late Latin quālitātīvus, equivalent to quālitāt- (stem of quālitās ) quality + -īvus -ive

Example Sentences

The transaction would erode Israel’s qualitative military edge.

From The Wall Street Journal

Suggested tools include qualitative observations, digital tracking, diary studies, and cross-cultural research.

From Science Daily

The teenage investors he works with typically focus on qualitative assessments versus cut-and-dry business metrics, he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

It is a quantitative and qualitative analytical work in progress.

From Barron's

“Best of” lists usually incorporate qualitative and quantitative factors.

From MarketWatch