calibre
C1formal
Definition
Meaning
The internal diameter or bore of a gun barrel.
The standard or level of someone's ability, quality, or character.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Most commonly used metaphorically to refer to quality/ability; the literal firearms meaning is technical.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
British English prefers 'calibre', American English prefers 'caliber'.
Connotations
The metaphorical sense has stronger academic/professional connotations in UK English.
Frequency
Both spellings understood internationally; the metaphorical sense is dominant in general usage.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
of + noun phrase (calibre of leadership)possessive determiner + calibre (his calibre)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “rise to the calibre of”
- “not of the calibre required”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Recruiting candidates of the necessary calibre is essential for our expansion.
Academic
The conference attracted researchers of international calibre.
Everyday
We need players of a higher calibre to win the championship.
Technical
The rifle has a calibre of 7.62 millimetres.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- This gun has a small calibre.
- The company wants to hire people of high calibre.
- The calibre of the applicants exceeded our expectations.
- Her academic calibre was evident from her groundbreaking publications.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CALIBRE ruler measuring the INTERNAL quality.
Conceptual Metaphor
QUALITY IS MEASUREMENT (measuring diameter → measuring worth)
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- False friend with 'калибр' (often only firearm context in Russian)
- Avoid direct translation for 'уровень' or 'качество' without considering register.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'caliber' in UK contexts / 'calibre' in US contexts
- Using with plural ('calibres' is rare for metaphorical sense)
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'calibre' most likely used literally?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
British English uses 'calibre', American English uses 'caliber'.
No, 'calibre' is exclusively a noun.
No, the metaphorical meaning (quality/ability) is far more common in general usage.
'Of' (e.g., calibre of work) or it is preceded by a possessive (e.g., his calibre).