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