caliber
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
the level of someone's ability or the quality of something.
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.
Simple“The company only hires people of the highest caliber.”
In context“The university's reputation attracts researchers of a high caliber who are leaders in their respective scientific fields.”
UsageOften follows the preposition 'of'.
- 02 C1 Advanced
the width of the inside of a gun or the size of a bullet.
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.
Simple“He bought a small caliber handgun for target practice at the range.”
In context“The artillery piece was classified by its caliber, determining the specific type of shell required for effective operation during the exercise.”
UsageUsually functions as a countable noun when referring to specific measurements.
- 03 C2 Proficiency
a person's importance or position in society.
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.
Simple“In the old days, a man of his caliber was expected to lead the town.”
In context“The historical novel depicts a society where individuals were judged strictly by their social caliber and family lineage.”
“Zamboanga city’s mayor, Khymer Adan Olaso, told the DZMM radio station that the shooter “managed to enter carrying a high-powered firearm and a .45-calibre pistol”.”
“The slow pace of change in mobile technology has prompted many of us to become a bit jaded, but if foldables of this caliber were somehow remarkably cheaper, they would be in everyone’s pocket.”