secondary qualities: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Academic, Technical
Quick answer
What does “secondary qualities” mean?
In philosophy, properties (like colour, smell, taste) that are not inherent in an object itself but arise from its interaction with a perceiver's senses.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
In philosophy, properties (like colour, smell, taste) that are not inherent in an object itself but arise from its interaction with a perceiver's senses.
More broadly, characteristics that are perceived, derivative, or less fundamental, as opposed to inherent or primary attributes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or semantic differences. The term is used identically in both philosophical traditions.
Connotations
Connotes a specific technical distinction in philosophy. Outside this context, it is rarely used but may imply 'less important' or 'derived' characteristics.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language, but standard within academic philosophical discourse in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “secondary qualities” in a Sentence
[Secondary qualities] + [are/perceived as] + [adjective/noun phrase] (e.g., Secondary qualities are mind-dependent.)[Subject] + [distinguishes/contrasts] + [secondary qualities] + [from] + [primary qualities].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “secondary qualities” in a Sentence
adverb
British English
- This issue is only secondarily important.
American English
- He was secondarily liable for the damages.
adjective
British English
- The secondary argument was less compelling.
American English
- She had a secondary role in the project.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Core term in philosophy, particularly in courses on empiricism, metaphysics, and philosophy of mind.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would likely be misunderstood or sound overly academic.
Technical
Used precisely within philosophical writing and discussion to denote a specific epistemological category.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “secondary qualities”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “secondary qualities”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “secondary qualities”
- Using it as a synonym for 'unimportant features' in non-philosophical contexts.
- Confusing the philosophical distinction with a simple value judgment (e.g., 'Secondary qualities are worse than primary ones.').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It was prominently defined by the 17th-century philosopher John Locke in his work 'An Essay Concerning Human Understanding', building on ideas from earlier thinkers like Galileo and Descartes.
Yes. The sweetness of sugar is a secondary quality; it requires a taster to experience it. The molecular structure of sugar (its shape and arrangement) is a primary quality; it exists whether perceived or not.
Rarely. In very specialised contexts like art criticism or psychology, it might be used loosely to describe subjective or perceptual aspects, but its precise meaning remains philosophical.
It addresses fundamental questions about the nature of reality, perception, and scientific knowledge: what properties are truly in the world, and what properties are contributed by our minds?
In philosophy, properties (like colour, smell, taste) that are not inherent in an object itself but arise from its interaction with a perceiver's senses.
Secondary qualities is usually formal, academic, technical in register.
Secondary qualities: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɛkənd(ə)ri ˈkwɒlɪtiz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɛkənˌdɛri ˈkwɑːlɪtiz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[none directly associated]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a red apple. Its redness (a SECONDARY quality) isn't in the apple in the dark—it needs a perceiver. Its shape (a PRIMARY quality) is there even in the dark.
Conceptual Metaphor
UNDERSTANDING IS SEEING (we 'grasp' the distinction); QUALITIES ARE OBJECTS (we 'separate' primary from secondary ones).
Practice
Quiz
In philosophy, 'secondary qualities' are best defined as: