qualitative
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of qualitative
First recorded in 1600–10; from Late Latin quālitātīvus, equivalent to quālitāt- (stem of quālitās ) quality + -īvus -ive
Explanation
Anything that's qualitative has to do with the characteristics or features of something, rather than its quantity. If you prefer A Wrinkle in Time to another book with the same number of pages, that's a qualitative preference. Qualitative shows up in scientific writing to clarify that the quality of something is being assessed, not its size or quantity. Scientists often contrast qualitative analysis or data with quantitative facts, information that can actually be measured. Qualitative properties of your house include its coziness and its cheerful color scheme. Among its quantitative aspects are its monetary value and its precise square footage.
Vocabulary lists containing qualitative
The Scientific Method
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Word Generation Science - Scientific Thinking
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The ACT Science Test: The Scientific Method
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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.
Our qualitative edge means little if we run out of our most advanced weaponry.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026
"Our assessment is qualitative and does not involve a numerical estimate of cancer risk or burden. We'll only be able to determine the precise risk once longer-term studies are available."
From Science Daily ● Jun. 21, 2026
Elsewhere, from a more qualitative perspective, the UBS consumer team published its list of favorite stocks for each of eight industries.
From Barron's ● Jun. 3, 2026
Traditionally, qualitative studies involve small groups or one-on-one interviews with paid respondents recruited via panels.
From BBC ● Apr. 30, 2026
It is essentially a qualitative, not a quantitative, process.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
