grade

1 an individual part of a process, series, or ranking <just one grade removed from completion> Synonyms chapter, cut, degree, inch, notch, peg, phase, place, point, stage, stepRelated Words angle, aspect, facet, side; amount, measure, plane; decrement, increment

2 degree of excellence <only motor oil of the highest grade for his fancy sports car> Synonyms caliber (or calibre), class, quality, rateRelated Words hallmark; mark; footing, place, position, rank, standing, stature, status; benchmark, criterion, measure, par, standard, touchstone, yardstick

3 one of the units into which a whole is divided on the basis of a common characteristic <there are various grades of wool to consider when selecting a fabric> Synonyms bracket, category, classification, division, family, genus, class, group, kind, league, order, rank(s), rubric, set, species, tier, typeRelated Words description, feather, ilk, kidney, like, manner, nature, sort; branch, section, speciality, specialty, subclass, subdivision, subgroup, subspecies, variety; breed, race; generation; heading, label, title

4 something set up as an example against which others of the same type are compared <that painting just doesn't make the grade> Synonyms bar, barometer, benchmark, criterion, gold standard, standard, mark, measure, metric, par, touchstone, yardstickRelated Words case, example, instance; average, norm, rule; acme, apex, meridian, peak, pinnacle, summit, zenithNear Antonyms aberration, abnormality, deviation

5 the degree to which something rises up from a position level with the horizon <the hill rises at a seven percent grade> Synonyms cant, diagonal, slant, gradient, inclination, incline, lean, pitch, rake, slope, tilt, upgradeRelated Words ascent, bank, climb, riseNear Antonyms declension, declination, decline, declivity, descent, dip, downgrade, fall, hang, hanging, receding