ENGLISH
REFERENCE

quantitative

adj.
US //ˈkwɑntɪˌteɪtɪv// UK //kwˈɒntɪtˌeɪtɪv// quan·ti·ta·tive
  1. 1 based on numbers (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

    describes information or research that uses numbers and measurements.

    relating to, measuring, or measured by the quantity of something rather than its quality.

    Example

    The researchers used a quantitative approach, collecting data from over a thousand surveys.

    Example

    The study provided quantitative evidence that the new policy had a measurable impact on local employment rates over the last decade.
  2. 2 chemical analysis (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Science

    describes a test that measures exactly how much of a substance is in a sample.

    relating to chemical analysis that determines the precise amount or proportion of a constituent in a substance.

    Example

    The lab performed a quantitative analysis to find out how much sugar was in the drink.

    Example

    Quantitative analysis of the soil samples revealed high concentrations of heavy metals that had previously gone undetected by visual inspection.
Origin

From Late Latin quantitātīvus. By surface analysis, quantity + -ative.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Related words

Last updated June 20, 2026