# quantity

/ˈkwɑntəti/ (US) · /kwˈɒntɪti/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/quantity
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. an amount or number

noun · CEFR A2

the amount or number of something that can be measured or counted.

For teachers: the amount, sum, or number of a substance or objects; it can be used both countably for discrete items and uncountably for mass.

- The police found a large quantity of stolen goods in the back of the van.
- The factory produces a vast quantity of plastic waste every year, much of which is unfortunately not suitable for recycling.

Usage: Often used in the pattern 'a [adjective] quantity of [noun]'.

### 2. a large amount

noun · CEFR B1

a large or significant amount of something.

For teachers: a considerable or significant measure or amount, often used to contrast with quality.

- It is usually better to focus on the quality of your work rather than the quantity.
- The publisher prioritised quantity over quality, releasing dozens of mediocre titles to saturate the market before the holiday season.

Teaching tip: Commonly found in the phrase 'quantity over quality'.

### 3. mathematical value

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

a value or symbol that represents a number in a calculation.

For teachers: a property of a phenomenon or substance that has a magnitude expressed as a number and a reference unit.

- In this equation, the letter 'x' represents an unknown quantity.
- The physicist calculated the precise quantity of energy released during the reaction, accounting for minimal heat loss to the environment.

Usage: In mathematics, it refers to anything that can be multiplied, divided, or measured.

## Examples

- The factory produces a large quantity of toys every day.
- The recipe requires a small quantity of salt to balance the sweetness of the chocolate.
- In modern manufacturing, companies often prioritize quantity to meet global demand, though this can sometimes lead to a noticeable decrease in the overall durability of the product.

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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.