# caliber

/ˈkæɫəbɝ/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/caliber
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. quality or ability

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

the level of someone's ability or the quality of something.

For teachers: the degree of excellence, capacity, or importance of a person or thing. Often used in professional or academic contexts to describe the standard of work or character.

- The company only hires people of the highest caliber.
- The university's reputation attracts researchers of a high caliber who are leaders in their respective scientific fields.

Usage: Often follows the preposition 'of'.

### 2. gun barrel size

noun · CEFR C1 · American English · Technical

the width of the inside of a gun or the size of a bullet.

For teachers: the internal diameter of a firearm's bore or the diameter of a projectile. It is typically expressed in hundredths or thousandths of an inch or in millimetres.

- He bought a small caliber handgun for target practice at the range.
- The artillery piece was classified by its caliber, determining the specific type of shell required for effective operation during the exercise.

Usage: Usually functions as a countable noun when referring to specific measurements.

### 3. social standing

noun · CEFR C2 · American English · Formal · Archaic

a person's importance or position in society.

For teachers: the degree of importance or station in society. This sense is less common in modern speech and often carries a more formal or literary tone.

- In the old days, a man of his caliber was expected to lead the town.
- The historical novel depicts a society where individuals were judged strictly by their social caliber and family lineage.

## Examples

- The school attracts students of a very high caliber.
- The company is looking for a manager of your caliber to lead the new international department.
- While the script was mediocre, the high caliber of the acting transformed the play into a compelling and memorable experience for the audience.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.