adjective

qualitative

KWAH-lih-tay-tiv/ˈkwɑːlɪteɪtɪv/

Describing qualities or characteristics rather than numerical amounts.

The observer makes a qualitative comparison of the leaves' colors, shapes, and textures.

An observer compares texture, color and shape of three different leaves with a magnifying glass.

Etymology

Here, quality means a property or characteristic, not a degree of excellence. Qualitative therefore concerns what something is like rather than how much of it there is.

In context

Cambridge Law Faculty29:39

leaves room for a subjective and qualitative evaluation of what the national courts have decided on the basis of the reasoning of their judgments

'The Relationship Between the European Court of Human Rights and National Constitutional Courts?'

More examples

Her qualitative analysis focuses on recurring themes in the interviews.
The report offers a qualitative description of water clarity rather than measurements.
Teachers use both test scores and qualitative observations to assess progress.

Forms

qualitative

qualitatively adverb — In terms of qualities rather than amounts.

quality noun — A characteristic of someone or something.

Similar words

descriptive: Emphasizes what something is like, without necessarily excluding numbers.
nonnumeric: Excludes numbers but does not necessarily describe qualities.