# qualitative

/ˈkwɑɫəˌteɪtɪv/ (US) · /kwˈɒlɪtˌeɪtɪv/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/qualitative
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. based on quality

adjective · CEFR C1 · Academic

describing how good something is or what it is like, rather than using numbers or measurements.

For teachers: relating to distinctions based on quality, character, or attribute rather than numerical measurement.

- The researchers conducted qualitative interviews to understand how the patients felt about the treatment.
- The study relies on qualitative data gathered through open-ended surveys to capture the nuanced experiences of the participants.

Usage: Often contrasted with 'quantitative' in research and statistics.

### 2. identifying components

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

used to find out what substances are in a mixture, not how much of them there is.

For teachers: relating to chemical analysis designed to identify the components of a substance or mixture.

- A qualitative test showed that the water contained traces of lead.
- Qualitative inorganic analysis was employed to determine the presence of specific metal ions within the unknown solution.

Usage: Commonly used in the phrase 'qualitative analysis'.

### 3. high-quality

adjective · CEFR C2 · Dialect

describing something that is of very good quality.

For teachers: denoting high quality or excellence; used as a synonym for 'premium' or 'superior'.

- The school is known for providing qualitative education to all its students.
- The government has promised to invest more in qualitative infrastructure projects across the region.

Teaching tip: This sense is specific to Nigerian English; in other varieties, 'qualitative' is neutral and does not imply 'good'.

## Examples

- The researchers conducted a qualitative study on student happiness.
- While the sales figures provided quantitative data, the customer interviews offered qualitative insights into why the product was failing.
- A thorough analysis requires both quantitative metrics to track growth and qualitative assessments to understand the underlying cultural shifts within the organization.

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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.