caliber

USAGE SUMMARY

"caliber" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun that typically refers to a type of measurement or the quality of something, usually with respect to ability, character, and intelligence. For example, "She has a high caliber of intelligence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Medvedev's move followed the passage of UN security council resolution 1929, approved in June 2010, that banned the sale to Iran of "battle tanks, armoured combat vehicles, large caliber artillery systems, combat aircraft, attack helicopters, warships, missiles or missile systems".

The Guardian

Despite the generally high caliber of the justices who have served on it, the Court has managed in its long history to issue some spectacularly bad decisions poorly reasoned, historically ill-informed, grossly tendentious, baldly ad hoc, or simply disastrous in their foreseeable political or economic consequences.

Britannica

Goetz produced a.38 caliber handgun and shot the four youths.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Signing a goalkeeper of his caliber would be a big step, but it will not be easy.

Independent

The man had a.38 caliber gun and had four rounds of ammunition in his pocket.

Independent

There is a vast list of wrestling personalities described and admired in Yes!: My Improbable Journey, ranging from Hall of Fame caliber performers to competitors who never reached the Iron Throne of a major wrestling career.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Authorities detained three people and confiscated 36 semi-automatic weapons, two smaller arms, a grenade launcher that had been fired and a.50-caliber rifle.

The Guardian

Mr Ahmadinejad, a first-caliber incendiary nationalist politician, may well understand this perfectly, and his gratuitous finger-in-the-eye Holocaust denials may be intended to bring on an airstrike that would benefit him politically.

The Economist

His parents and siblings don't know what he does, but he thinks they can guess, since he is always armed: He usually carries a.38-caliber pistol and an AK-47 assault rifle.

Independent

Initial details emerged that four shots had been fired, with.45-caliber shell casings found on the street corner and multiple bullet holes in the pushchair.

Independent

Both young men in those attacks fired guns in YouTube clips posted before the shootings, shot themselves in the head and used.22-caliber handguns bought from the same store.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's abilities or skills, use "caliber" to denote a high level of competence or quality. For example, "She is a leader of exceptional caliber."

Common error

Avoid using "caliber" interchangeably with general measurements like length or weight. "Caliber" is more appropriate for describing quality or the diameter of firearms.

Linguistic Context

The word "caliber" functions primarily as a noun. It refers to the diameter of a gun barrel or the quality or standard of someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Examples show its use in describing both physical measurements and abstract qualities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

21%

Science

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "caliber" is a versatile noun with two primary meanings: the diameter of a gun barrel and a level of quality or ability. Ludwig AI confirms that "caliber" is grammatically correct. It is frequently used in news and media, as well as in encyclopedic and scientific contexts, to describe both literal measurements and abstract qualities. When writing, remember that while it can describe the quality of people or things, doing so can be formal. Be careful not to overuse it in inappropriate context, instead of more appropriate words such as "quality" or "standard".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quality

Focuses on the degree of excellence or worth.

standard

Highlights a level of quality or attainment.

level of excellence

Emphasizes the degree of superiority.

degree of competence

Focuses on the proficiency and skill involved.

magnitude

Emphasizes the size or extent of something, particularly in the context of impact or importance.

stature

Refers to the level of respect or admiration achieved.

grade

Indicates a specific level in a classification system.

merit

Highlights the worthiness or deservingness of praise.

bore

Specifically refers to the diameter of a gun barrel, a literal use of "caliber".

gauge

A system of measurement, similar to "caliber" in its literal sense.

FAQs

How is "caliber" used to describe a person's qualities?

"Caliber" can describe someone's qualities, such as their intelligence, skill, or character, indicating a high standard. For example, you might say, "He is an athlete of exceptional "caliber"".

What does "caliber" mean in the context of firearms?

In firearms, "caliber" refers to the diameter of the gun barrel or the projectile it fires. For instance, a ".45 "caliber"" pistol fires bullets that are 0.45 inches in diameter.

What are some synonyms for "high "caliber""?

Synonyms for "high "caliber"" include "high quality", "exceptional", "first-rate", and "top-notch".

Is it correct to use "caliber" to describe the importance of an event?

While less common, "caliber" can be used metaphorically to describe the significance or impact of an event. You might say, "The summit was an event of historic "caliber"", implying it was highly important.