/ ˈkwɒləti; NAmE ˈkwɑːl-/ noun , adjective
■ noun ( pl. -ies )
1.
[ U , C ] the standard of sth when it is compared to other things like it; how good or bad sth is :
to be of good / poor / top quality
goods of a high quality
high-quality goods
a decline in water quality
When costs are cut product quality suffers.
Their quality of life improved dramatically when they moved to France.
2.
[ U ] a high standard
SYN excellence :
contemporary writers of quality
We aim to provide quality at reasonable prices.
3.
[ C ] a thing that is part of a person's character, especially sth good :
personal qualities such as honesty and generosity
to have leadership qualities
4.
[ C , U ] a feature of sth, especially one that makes it different from sth else :
the special quality of light and shade in her paintings
5.
[ C ] ( BrE ) = quality newspaper
■ adjective
1.
[ only before noun ] used especially by people trying to sell goods or services to say that sth is of a high quality :
We specialize in quality furniture.
quality service at a competitive price
2.
( BrE , slang ) very good :
'What was the film like?' 'Quality!'
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (in the senses character, disposition and particular property or feature ): from Old French qualite , from Latin qualitas (translating Greek poiotēs ), from qualis of what kind, of such a kind.