qualm
C1Formal, literary
Definition
Meaning
A sudden feeling of doubt or worry, especially about what is right or moral.
Historically, a momentary feeling of sickness or nausea; now rarely used in this sense.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a moral or ethical hesitation; typically used in plural form 'qualms'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is similar, but the archaic meaning of nausea is more associated with British English.
Connotations
In both dialects, it connotes a slight but significant moral unease.
Frequency
Slightly more common in British English, especially in written texts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
have qualms about [something]feel qualms over [something]without qualmsVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “have no qualms about”
- “without a qualm”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used; may appear in discussions of corporate ethics or decision-making.
Academic
Common in philosophy, ethics, and literary criticism to describe moral dilemmas.
Everyday
Infrequent; used in formal conversations or writing to express ethical concerns.
Technical
Not typically used in technical contexts.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He felt a qualm after telling a lie.
- She had qualms about skipping class.
- Whilst the team had no qualms about the strategy, some members expressed concerns (British).
- While the team had no qualms about the strategy, some members expressed concerns (American).
- His profound qualms regarding the ethical implications of the research were debated at length.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'qualm' as a 'question of calm' – when your calm is questioned by a sudden doubt.
Conceptual Metaphor
Moral unease as a physical sensation or weight.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- False friend with 'квальм' (non-existent); correctly translated as 'сомнение' but with moral nuance, akin to 'угрызения совести'.
- May be confused with 'calm' due to similar spelling.
Common Mistakes
- Pronouncing as /kwæm/ or /kwɒm/
- Using as a verb, e.g., 'I qualm about it' (incorrect).
Practice
Quiz
What does 'qualm' typically express?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is more formal and often found in written English.
No, 'qualm' is strictly a noun; there is no standard verb form.
The plural is 'qualms', and it is often used in this form.
In American English, it is pronounced /kwɑːm/.