Word
yardstick
Phoneticsyard·stick, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈjɑɹdˌstɪk/
UK/jˈɑːdstɪk/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a standard or a measurement used to judge the quality or value of something. You use it to compare things and see how they measure up.
n. a standard of measurement or a criterion for judging the quality, value, or performance of something. Often used metaphorically to describe a benchmark against which other things are evaluated.
Examples
“The company uses customer satisfaction as a yardstick for success.”
“In many developing countries, access to clean water remains the primary yardstick for measuring public health progress.”
“While the initial budget served as a yardstick for the project's scope, the final costs were significantly higher due to unforeseen logistical challenges and rising material prices.”
Examples
simple
“The company uses customer satisfaction as a yardstick for success.”
contextual
“In many developing countries, access to clean water remains the primary yardstick for measuring public health progress.”
complex
“While the initial budget served as a yardstick for the project's scope, the final costs were significantly higher due to unforeseen logistical challenges and rising material prices.”
Real-World Examples
“If I wouldn’t say something to their faces, I won’t say it in the voiceover – that’s my yardstick.” “T he most common measure of democracies’ performance is gross domestic product (GDP), which is a dumb yardstick because it simply records the value of goods and services that have a price.” “No longer than a yardstick when folded up for carrying, his design weighs less than 10 pounds.” “And yet, without such a yardstick, it is hard to calibrate just how much money we should spend to maintain and replenish these precious assets over long periods of time.” Etymology
From yard + stick.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/yardstick