Meanings
qual1
plural quals · alternative Qual
- countableplural normallyuncountableQualifying exam. An exam taken by someone (usually a grad student or prospective grad student) to measure their mastery in something, usually an academic field.
To be a theorist, you also had to pass a special theory section on the quals.
2004, Emanuel Derman, My Life as a Quant: Reflections on Physics and Finance, John Wiley & Sons, page 301 more example
He'd refused to say anything more, because he didn't want to distract her with his problems on the eve of the Quals.
2000, Stephen Cannell, The Devil's Workshop: A Novel, HarperCollins, page 12 - uncountableQualitative analysis or research.
We believe there is a role for both qual and quant in professional services.
2015, Nigel Clark, Professional Services Marketing Handbook: How to Build Relationships, Grow Your Firm and Become a Client Champion, London: Kogan Page Publishers, page 70 - alternativecountableuncountablehobbiesAlternative form of quali.
alternative Qual
- abbreviationnot comparableShort for qualitative
Finally, in the school of education, I found coursework that included qual and quant methodology.
2012, Judith M. Meloy, Twenty-first Century Learning by Doing, Rotterdam: Sense Publishers, page 24
Qual2
QUAL3
plural QUALs
- qualification exam for artificial intelligence
Well, that reminds me of the QUAL [qualification exam for artificial intelligence].
1992, Ralph Morelli, Minds, Brains, and Computers: Perspectives in Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence, Intellect Books, published 1992, page 144
Origin
Clipping of qualified
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
qual. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/qual
“qual.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/qual. Accessed November 2, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “qual,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/qual.
Source: qual on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.