How to pronounce quality
Say it like KWAH-luh-tee. Quality has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KWAH).
- KWAH
- luh
- tee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Quality pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KWAHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- luhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- teeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of quality
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: KWOL-ih-tee.
What does quality mean?
- an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone“the quality of mercy is not strained”
- a degree or grade of excellence or worth“the quality of students has risen”“an executive of low caliber”
- a characteristic property that defines the apparent individual nature of something“each town has a quality all its own”“the radical character of our demands”
- of superior grade“choice wines”“prime beef”
- of high social status“people of quality”“a quality family”
Where does quality come from?
From Middle English qualite, from Old French qualité, from Latin quālitās, quālitātem, from quālis (“of what kind”), from Proto-Indo-European *kʷo- (“who, how”).
Words that rhyme with quality
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of quality.
Questions about saying quality
How do you pronounce quality?
Say KWAH-luh-tee. The American pronunciation is /ˈkwɑləti/. In British English it is /ˈkwɒlɪti/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in quality?
Quality has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KWAH). Broken into parts: KWAH · luh · tee.
Is quality pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈkwɒlɪti/ (KWOL-ih-tee).