3 → see also qualify
quali|fy ◆◇◇ /kwɒ l I fa I / (qualifies , qualifying , qualified )
1 VERB When someone qualifies , they pass the examinations that they need to be able to work in a particular profession. □ [V ] But when I'd qualified and started teaching it was a different story. □ [V + as/in ] I qualified as a doctor from London University over 30 years ago. [Also V to-inf]
2 VERB If you qualify for something or if something qualifies you for it, you have the right to do it or have it. □ [V + for ] To qualify for maternity leave you must have worked for the same employer for two years. □ [V n to-inf] The basic course does not qualify you to practise as a therapist. □ [V n + for ] …skills that qualify foreigners for work visas. □ [V -ed] …highly trained staff who are well qualified to give unbiased, practical advice. [Also V , V to-inf]
3 VERB To qualify as something or to be qualified as something means to have all the features that are needed to be that thing. □ [V + as ] 13 percent of American households qualify as poor, says Mr. Mishel. □ [V n + as ] These people seem to think that reading a few books on old age qualifies them as experts. [Also V ]
4 VERB If you qualify in a competition, you are successful in one part of it and go on to the next stage. □ [V + for ] Nottingham Forest qualified for the final by beating Tranmere on Tuesday. □ [V ] Cameroon have also qualified after beating Sierra Leone. □ [V -ing] …a World Cup qualifying match. ● quali|fi|er (qualifiers ) N‑COUNT □ He was the fastest qualifier for the 800 metres final.
5 VERB If you qualify a statement, you make it less strong or less general by adding a detail or explanation to it. □ [V n] I would qualify that by putting it into context.
6 → see also qualified
quali|ta|tive /kwɒ l I tət I v, [AM ] -te I t-/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Qualitative means relating to the nature or standard of something, rather than to its quantity. [FORMAL ] □ There are qualitative differences in the way children and adults think. ● quali|ta|tive|ly ADV [ADV adj, ADV with v] □ The new media are unlikely to prove qualitatively different from the old.
qual|ity ◆◆◇ /kwɒ l I ti/ (qualities )
1 N‑UNCOUNT The quality of something is how good or bad it is. □ Everyone can greatly improve the quality of life. □ Other services vary dramatically in quality. □ …high-quality paper and plywood.
2 N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Something of quality is of a high standard. □ …a college of quality. □ In our work, quality is paramount.
3 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Someone's qualities are the good characteristics that they have which are part of their nature. □ He wanted to introduce mature people with leadership qualities.
4 N‑COUNT [oft adj N ] You can describe a particular characteristic of a person or thing as a quality . □ …a childlike quality. □ [+ of ] …the pretentious quality of the poetry.
5 ADJ [ADJ n] The quality papers or the quality press are the more serious newspapers which give detailed accounts of world events, as well as reports on business, culture, and society. [BRIT ] □ Even the quality papers agreed that it was a triumph. COLLOCATIONS quality NOUN 1
noun + quality : air, picture, sound, water
adjective + quality : excellent, fine, high, top; poor
verb + quality : affect, assess; improve SYNONYMS quality NOUN
1
standard: The standard of professional cricket has never been lower.
condition: I received several compliments on the condition of my skin.
calibre: I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts.
3
characteristic: Genes determine the characteristics of every living thing.
feature: The spacious gardens are a special feature of this property.
attribute: He has every attribute you could want and could play for any team.
qua l|ity ci r|cle (quality circles ) N‑COUNT A quality circle is a small group of workers and managers who meet to solve problems and improve the quality of the organization's products or services. [BUSINESS ] □ Riddick's first move was to form a quality circle.
qua l|ity con|tro l N‑UNCOUNT In an organization that produces goods or provides services, quality control is the activity of checking that the goods or services are of an acceptable standard. [BUSINESS ]
qua l|ity ti me N‑UNCOUNT If people spend quality time together, they spend a period of time relaxing or doing things that they both enjoy, and not worrying about work or other responsibilities. [APPROVAL ]
qualm /kwɑː m/ (qualms ) N‑COUNT If you have no qualms about doing something, you are not worried that it may be wrong in some way. □ [+ about ] I have no qualms about recommending this approach.
quan|da|ry /kwɒ ndəri/ (quandaries ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] If you are in a quandary , you have to make a decision but cannot decide what to do. □ [+ about ] The government appears to be in a quandary about what to do with so many people.
quango /kwæ ŋgoʊ/ (quangos ) N‑COUNT In Britain, a quango is a committee which is appointed by the government but works independently. A quango has responsibility for a particular area of activity, for example the giving of government grants to arts organizations.