quantify

[kwon-tuh-fahy]

verb (used with object)

quantified, quantifying 

1. to determine, indicate, or express the quantity of.

2. Logic.,  to make explicit the quantity of (a proposition).

3. to give quantity to (something regarded as having only quality).

quantify

/ ˈkwɒntɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. to discover or express the quantity of

2. logic to specify the quantity of (a term) by using a quantifier, such as all, some, or no

Other Word Forms

• quantification noun
• quantifiable adjective
• unquantified adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of quantify¹

First recorded in 1830–40; from Medieval Latin quantificāre, equivalent to Latin quant(us) “how much” + -ificāre -ify

Word History and Origins

Origin of quantify¹

C19: from Medieval Latin quantificāre, from Latin quantus how much + facere to make

Example Sentences

The extent to which her position on the conflict cost her the election is difficult to quantify, but it certainly cost her important votes in Michigan and took up oxygen during her campaign.

From Salon

Ultimately, it's difficult to quantify the impact of Russian state-backed media around the world.

From BBC

"It's hard to quantify how much money he owes us, because of the extra damage he did," he said.

From BBC

“This is really an important study to quantify just how soon and where it is shifting, and to what extent.”

From Los Angeles Times

While the immediate effects of wildfire and other climate-driven disasters are starkly apparent in hard-hit communities, the lingering consequences can be challenging to quantify.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• appraise 
• assess 
• calibrate 
• compute 
• evaluate 
• gauge 
• specify