quotient

noun

quo·​tient ˈkwō-shənt How to pronounce quotient (audio)
1
: the number resulting from the division of one number by another
2
: the numerical ratio usually multiplied by 100 between a test score and a standard value
3
4
: the magnitude of a specified characteristic or quality
the celebrity's likability quotient is high

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Upping the tribute’s magic quotient even further was the diverse group of artists chosen to put their own spins on the sound of Motown. Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 4 Feb. 2023 Style throughout the weekend ranged from chalet chic to show-stopping, but no event captured the film festival’s fashion quotient quite like Gucci’s celebration of the powerful documentary Invisible Beauty. David Graver, Vogue, 24 Jan. 2023 Fangio's influence could also raise the pass-rush effectiveness and playmaking quotient out of a base 3-4. Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 13 Jan. 2023 For me, this means talking openly about my own successes and failures building a personal brand, working on my EQ (emotional quotient), and helping others become their best selves. Ryan O'keeffe, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2022 In one study in 2002, Marino and her colleagues examined the relative brain size of a dolphin compared to body mass — something known as the encephalization quotient. Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 26 Mar. 2021 This is a rare semifinal where the size/speed quotient is relatively even across the board. Dan Wolken, USA TODAY, 27 Dec. 2022 To give a sense of this industry’s impact, Wisconsin alone has an extremely high location quotient — a way of measuring industry concentration — of 13.87 in irradiation apparatus manufacturing, according to the BioForward report. Kathleen Gallagher, Journal Sentinel, 22 Dec. 2022 The houses were gated, with pools, and live-in help was cheap (see: kafala), but the boredom quotient was off the charts. Clare Malone, The New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'quotient.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English quocient, modification of Latin quotiens how many times, from quot how many

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of quotient was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near quotient

Cite this Entry

“Quotient.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quotient. Accessed 26 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

quotient

noun
quo·​tient ˈkwō-shənt How to pronounce quotient (audio)
: the number resulting from the division of one number by another
dividing 10 by 5 gives a quotient of 2
Etymology

Middle English quocient, an altered form of Latin quotiens "how many times?"

Medical Definition

quotient

noun
quo·​tient ˈkwō-shənt How to pronounce quotient (audio)
: the numerical ratio usually multiplied by 100 between a test score and a measurement on which that score might be expected largely to depend

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