qualitative leap

noun

A qualitative, non-gradual change resulting from a quantitatively minor change.

Similar
dialectical leap
OriginGerman dialektischer Sprung →
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Meanings

nounqualitative leap (plural qualitative leaps)

plural qualitative leaps

  1. human sciencesA qualitative, non-gradual change resulting from a quantitatively minor change.

    Synonyms: dialectical leap

Synonyms & antonyms

nounA qualitative, non-gradual change resulting from a quantitatively minor change.

Similar
dialectical leap

Origin

  1. Germandialektischer Sprung
  2. Englishqualitative leap

Modified from dialectical leap, the latter a calque of German dialektischer Sprung, a concept from Hegel's dialectical method. The modifier qualitative means that the leap in question is a transition in quality, where the latter should be understood in its original sense of “what-ness”, that is, the kind or nature of something.

More words from German

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Cite this entry
APA

qualitative leap. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/qualitative%20leap

MLA

“qualitative leap.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/qualitative%20leap. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “qualitative leap,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/qualitative%20leap.

Source: qualitative leap on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.