# standard

/ˈstændɝd/ (US) · /stˈændəd/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. level of quality

noun · CEFR B1

a level of quality or achievement that is considered acceptable or desirable.

For teachers: a required or agreed level of quality or attainment used as a benchmark for evaluation.

- The hotel's service did not meet the high standards we expected for the price.
- The regulatory body is responsible for ensuring that all medical facilities maintain a rigorous standard of patient care and hygiene.

### 2. unit of measurement

noun · CEFR B2

an official rule or object used to measure how long, heavy, or valuable something is.

For teachers: an object or rule that is used as a basis for a system of weights, measures, or currency.

- The meter is the international standard for measuring length in science.
- Historically, the gold standard allowed citizens to exchange paper currency for a specific amount of precious metal.

### 3. a flag or pole

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a large flag or a tall pole used to carry a flag during ceremonies.

For teachers: a flag, banner, or ensign, especially one used in a formal or military context to represent a leader or nation.

- The royal standard was raised above the palace to show the Queen was home.
- The cavalry advanced with their standards held high, the silk banners fluttering visibly even through the thick smoke of the battlefield.

### 4. normal or basic

adjective · CEFR B1

usual or ordinary; not having any special or extra features.

For teachers: conforming to a fixed or general pattern; provided as a regular feature rather than an optional extra.

- Air conditioning is a standard feature in most new cars these days.
- The standard procedure for processing applications requires a minimum of ten working days, regardless of the applicant's urgency.

### 5. accepted language

adjective · CEFR B2 · Academic

the form of a language that most people consider 'correct' and is used in schools and news.

For teachers: denoting the variety of a language used by the educated and in formal contexts, often serving as a prestige norm.

- Students are expected to write their essays in standard English.
- While the local dialect is used in casual conversation, standard Italian is the primary medium for national broadcasting and legal documentation.

### 6. agreement

interjection · CEFR C2 · British English · Slang

a way to say 'of course' or 'I agree' when something is exactly what you expected.

For teachers: used as an exclamation to express agreement or to confirm that a situation is typical or expected.

- Are you coming to the party tonight? Standard.
- When asked if he was going to be late again, he just shrugged and said, 'Standard,' acknowledging his own reputation for tardiness.

## Examples

- The hotel has a very high standard of service.
- The government set a new safety standard for all cars sold in the country to reduce road accidents.
- Maintaining a consistent standard across international branches requires rigorous quality control and frequent staff training to ensure the brand's reputation remains intact.

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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.