What does quantitative mean?
Quantitative means concerned with quantity, amount, and measurable numerical facts rather than descriptions, impressions, or other non-numerical qualities. The word is especially common in academic research, science, economics, finance, and statistics: quantitative research gathers numerical data and analyzes it through statistical or mathematical methods. A quantitative claim is therefore one that can be supported or tested with measurements, although the presence of numbers does not by itself guarantee that a study is reliable. As a noun, a quantitative is a person who develops or uses mathematical models, most often in finance or trading. The term is useful because it distinguishes an evidence-centered, measurable approach from a qualitative one, while remaining broader than the more specialized statistical vocabulary of any single discipline.
Relating to, expressing, or measuring quantity or amount, especially through numerical data.
"The laboratory recorded a quantitative increase in the concentration of the compound."
Common in formal, scientific, academic, economic, and financial writing; often contrasts with qualitative.
A person who uses mathematical, statistical, or computational methods to analyze problems, especially in finance.
"The fund employs a team of quantitatives to develop trading strategies."
This noun is informal industry terminology and is much less common than the adjective.
A rare countable noun in financial or technical workplaces; it is pluralized in the ordinary way.
"The company has hired several quantitatives to improve its risk models."
Quantitative turns the question “How much?” into the language of numbers.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does quantitative come from?
The word comes from Latin quantitativus, meaning “of quantity” or “measurable,” formed from quantitas, “how much,” which in turn derives from quantus, “how much” or “great.” English borrowed the adjective in the early 17th century, and its modern scientific and economic senses developed alongside the expansion of measurement and statistical analysis. The same Latin root connects it with quantity, quantify, quantifier, and quantum.
Related word forms
How quantitative is actually used
As an adjective, quantitative is especially common in academic, scientific, economic, and financial contexts and often has a formal or technical tone. As a noun, it is principally used in finance and quantitative-analysis professions.
Easily confused with quantitative
Quantitative refers to measurable numerical information, whereas qualitative refers to characteristics, meanings, or experiences that are described rather than counted.