Quality vs. Efficiency — What's the Difference?
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Difference Between Quality and Efficiency
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Definitions
Quality
The standard of something as measured against other things of a similar kind; the degree of excellence of something
An improvement in product quality
These colleges provide a better quality of education
Efficiency
Efficiency is the (often measurable) ability to avoid wasting materials, energy, efforts, money, and time in doing something or in producing a desired result. In a more general sense, it is the ability to do things well, successfully, and without waste.
Quality
A distinctive attribute or characteristic possessed by someone or something
He shows strong leadership qualities
The plant's aphrodisiac qualities
Efficiency
The quality or property of being efficient.
Quality
Of good quality; excellent
He's a quality player
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Efficiency
The degree to which this quality is exercised
The program was implemented with great efficiency and speed.
Quality
An inherent or distinguishing characteristic; a property
The medicinal qualities of a plant.
Efficiency
The ratio of the effective or useful output to the total input in any system.
Quality
A personal trait, especially a character trait
"The most vital quality a soldier can possess is self-confidence" (George S. Patton).
Efficiency
The ratio of the energy delivered by a machine to the energy supplied for its operation.
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Quality
Essential character; nature
"The quality of mercy is not strain'd" (Shakespeare).
Efficiency
An efficiency apartment.
Quality
Superiority of kind
An intellect of unquestioned quality.
Efficiency
The extent to which time is well used for the intended task.
The efficiency of the planning department is deplorable.
Quality
Degree or grade of excellence
Yard goods of low quality.
Efficiency
(dated) The quality of producing an effect or effects.
Quality
Investments that have a low risk of loss or default
The flight to quality.
Efficiency
The extent to which a resource is used for the intended purpose; the ratio of useful work to energy expended.
The efficiency of this loudspeaker is 40%.
Quality
High social position
People of quality.
Efficiency
(US) A one-room apartment.
I have an efficiency available June through July.
Fully-furnished efficiencies
Quality
Those in a high social position
Likes to associate with quality.
Efficiency
The ratio of the output to the input of any system
Quality
(Music) Timbre, as determined by harmonics
A voice with a distinctive metallic quality.
Efficiency
Skillfulness in avoiding wasted time and effort;
She did the work with great efficiency
Quality
(Linguistics) The character of a vowel sound determined by the size and shape of the oral cavity and the amount of resonance with which the sound is produced.
Quality
(Logic) The positive or negative character of a proposition.
Quality
Having a high degree of excellence
The importance of quality health care.
Quality
(uncountable) Level of excellence.
This school is well-known for having teachers of high quality.
Quality of life is usually determined by health, education, and income.
Quality
(countable) Something that differentiates a thing or person.
One of the qualities of pure iron is that it does not rust easily.
While being impulsive can be great for artists, it is not a desirable quality for engineers.
Security, stability, and efficiency are good qualities of an operating system.
Quality
(archaic) Position; status; rank.
Quality
(archaic) High social position. (See also the quality.)
A peasant is not allowed to fall in love with a lady of quality.
Membership of this golf club is limited to those of quality and wealth.
Quality
(uncountable) The degree to which a man-made object or system is free from bugs and flaws, as opposed to scope of functions or quantity of items.
Quality
(thermodynamics) In a two-phase liquid–vapor mixture, the ratio of the mass of vapor present to the total mass of the mixture.
Quality
The third step in OPQRST where the responder investigates what the NOI/MOI feels like.
To identify quality try asking, "what does it feel like?".
Quality
A newspaper with relatively serious, high-quality content.
Quality
Being of good worth, well made, fit for purpose; of high quality.
We only sell quality products.
That was a quality game by Jim Smith.
A quality system ensures products meet customer requirements.
Quality
The condition of being of such and such a sort as distinguished from others; nature or character relatively considered, as of goods; character; sort; rank.
We lived most joyful, obtaining acquaintance with many of the city not of the meanest quality.
Quality
Special or temporary character; profession; occupation; assumed or asserted rank, part, or position.
I made that inquiry in quality of an antiquary.
Quality
That which makes, or helps to make, anything such as it is; anything belonging to a subject, or predicable of it; distinguishing property, characteristic, or attribute; peculiar power, capacity, or virtue; distinctive trait; as, the tones of a flute differ from those of a violin in quality; the great quality of a statesman.
Quality
An acquired trait; accomplishment; acquisition.
He had those qualities of horsemanship, dancing, and fencing which accompany a good breeding.
Quality
Superior birth or station; high rank; elevated character.
I shall appear at the masquerade dressed up in my feathers, that the quality may see how pretty they will look in their traveling habits.
Quality
An essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone;
The quality of mercy is not strained
Quality
A degree or grade of excellence or worth;
The quality of students has risen
An executive of low caliber
Quality
A characteristic property that defines the apparent individual nature of something;
Each town has a quality all its own
The radical character of our demands
Quality
(music) the distinctive property of a complex sound (a voice or noise or musical sound);
The timbre of her soprano was rich and lovely
The muffled tones of the broken bell summoned them to meet
Quality
High social status;
A man of quality
Quality
Of superior grade;
Choice wines
Prime beef
Prize carnations
Quality paper
Select peaches
Quality
Of high social status;
People of quality
A quality family