Vocabulary Spotlight
Caliber
Part of Speech: Noun
Definition: The quality or degree of excellence or competence; also, the internal diameter of a gun barrel.
“The team was looking for a candidate of high caliber to lead the new project.”
Pronunciation
[kal-uh-ber]
Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Words
Synonyms
Excellence
Merit
Capacity
Competence
Antonyms
Mediocrity
Inadequacy
Substandard
Deficiency
Related Words
Standard (noun)
Worth (noun)
Word Origin
The term “caliber” originates from the Arabic “qalib,” meaning “mold” or “model,” which passed into Latin as “caliber” and into English in the 16th century. It initially referred to the size of a gun barrel but later broadened to mean quality or degree of excellence.
Word Family
Noun: Caliber – The quality of someone’s character or competence.
Noun: Calibre (alternative spelling) – Primarily used in British English.
Related Noun: Capacity – The ability or power to perform effectively.
Mnemonics
Character And Level In Business Excellence Rates
This mnemonic helps to remember that caliber refers to the level of quality or competence a person or thing has.
Industry-specific Usage
Military
In the military, caliber specifically refers to the diameter of a firearm’s bore, indicating the size and power of the weapon.
Human Resources
In hiring, companies seek individuals of high caliber to ensure quality performance and leadership within the organization.
Engineering
In engineering, caliber can refer to the gauge or quality standard of materials used, ensuring they meet project requirements.
In Context
In personal development, people often strive to be of high caliber, meaning they aim to achieve high standards of skill or character.
In sports, athletes of high caliber are those who have achieved excellence in their performance and are highly regarded in their field.
In literature, caliber may describe the moral or intellectual quality of a character, giving insight into their capabilities and values.