WordValequalitative
relating to quality rather than quantity
In more detail
1. (adjective) relating to the quality or nature of something rather than its quantity or amount
2. (adjective) concerned with how good or bad something is, rather than how much of it there is
Examples
- 1. The study included qualitative interviews to understand people's experiences.
- 2. The teacher gave qualitative feedback on the student's writing, not just a grade.
How to use qualitative
Qualitative is used primarily in academic, research, and professional contexts to describe methods, data, or assessments that focus on characteristics, meaning, and quality rather than measurable amounts. It often contrasts with quantitative and is especially common in social sciences, education, and business. The term carries no evaluative judgment itself, despite sometimes implying a subjective or interpretive approach.
Common phrases
- qualitative research
- qualitative data
- qualitative analysis
- qualitative assessment
- qualitative difference
- qualitative improvement
Synonyms
qualitative · descriptive · evaluative · non-numerical · value-based
Opposites
quantitative · numerical · statistical
Word family
qualitatively (adverb) · quality (noun) · qualify (verb)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes use 'qualitative' when they mean 'quality' as a general descriptor (e.g., 'a qualitative product' instead of 'a quality product'), or confuse it with 'qualitative' meaning simply 'good' rather than its precise methodological meaning.
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