quantitative

adjective

quan·​ti·​ta·​tive ˈkwän-tə-ˌtā-tiv 

1

: of, relating to, or expressible in terms of quantity

2

: of, relating to, or involving the measurement of quantity or amount

3

: based on quantity

specifically, of classical verse : based on temporal quantity or duration of sounds

quantitatively adverb

quantitativeness noun

Examples of quantitative in a Sentence

Scientists are gathering quantitative information about human intelligence.

Recent Examples on the Web

These pillars are operationalized through a broad set of quantitative indicators derived from global and national datasets as well as institutional submissions, which are normalized and aggregated according to a transparent weighting scheme. —Time Staff, Time, 28 Jan. 2026

First, in mid-December, the central bank reversed its long-standing policy of quantitative tightening, purchasing Treasuries to reduce the money supply, curb demand, and hence dampen the upward trend in consumer prices, and returned to quantitative easing. —Shawn Tully, Fortune, 28 Jan. 2026

Given their small numbers, killing a pack of 10 animals would harm the population's genetic diversity, said Mathew Crowther, professor of quantitative conservation biology at the University of Sydney. —CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026

The Swede’s numbers have been used to both criticise and praise him recently, but points of concern have been more qualitative than quantitative. —Mark Carey, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin quantitativus, from Latin quantitat-, quantitas quantity

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing quantitative

• quantitative analysis
• quantitative easing
• quantitative inheritance

Rhymes for quantitative

• allocative
• appellative
• commutative
• connotative
• copulative
• degradative
• dissipative
• educative
• exudative
• facultative
• imitative
• infiltrative

Kids Definition

quantitative

adjective

quan·​ti·​ta·​tive ˈkwän(t)-ə-ˌtāt-iv 

: of, relating to, or involving the measurement of quantity

quantitatively adverb

quantitativeness noun

Medical Definition

quantitative

adjective

quan·​ti·​ta·​tive ˈkwän(t)-ə-ˌtāt-iv 

1

: of, relating to, or expressible in terms of quantity

2

: of, relating to, or involving the measurement of quantity or amount

quantitatively adverb