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measure

measure

288 2.5
A standard used to compare people or things
  • noun
  • /ˈmɛʒər/
: indicador
  • In evaluating the project's success, a reliable measure of its impact is essential.
  • a measure of success
  • a measure of achievement
  • a measure of effectiveness

So the only measure of success should be joy.

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Examples

  • Your willingness to take responsibility is a measure of the maturity of your character.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • So your weight is not itself the measure of how much mass you have.

  • We certainly do have some measure of freedom and choice.

  • In fact, there is no objective measure of pain.

  • So the only measure of success should be joy.

  • As a matter of fact, by most people's measure, I seem to have it all.

  • A player's commitment to his or her sport has been used as a measure of retention.

    Academic text (2008)
  • I fear we lost some measure of our honor since that betrayal.

  • It does seem to have given them a measure of wisdom.

  • In relation to other states, the measure may still constitute a breach of an international obligation.

    Academic text (2017)

Synonyms

standard
vsmeasure
∞ 1.6

An agreed level of quality or rule for judging something

is the general label for any comparison or evaluation point
index
vsmeasure
  • Specialized
229 4.4

A number that shows how something changes, like prices or pollution

is the broader concept of using a standard or point for comparison
criterion
vsmeasure
222 6.1

A rule or standard used to judge and choose something

is the wider notion of a comparison point, not a formal rule
unit
vsmeasure
168 2.1

A fixed amount used to measure or count things

is the broader notion of a comparison point, not a specific amount
reference
vsmeasure
107 3.1

A standard used to compare other things

is the overall concept of a comparison basis rather than a specific example
baseline
vsmeasure
  • Specialized
70 3.8

A starting point for comparing later results

is the more general idea of a comparison standard rather than a single fixed point
benchmark
vsmeasure
62 4.2

A standard used to compare quality or performance

is a more general comparison concept, not tied to formal tests
metrics
vsmeasure
  • Specialized
53 3.5

Numbers used to measure performance or quality

is the single comparison or reference idea rather than a set of indicators
metric
vsmeasure
30 4.2

A measure used to judge the performance or success of something

is the general idea of a comparison point, not a full measurement system
gauge
vsmeasure
14 5.6

A measure people use to judge how good or successful something is

is the general comparison idea rather than a commonly used example
reference point
vsmeasure
13 3.7

A known mark people use to compare or find position

is the broader notion of a comparison or evaluation standard
touchstone
vsmeasure
13 7.5

A way to judge how good or true something is

is the general comparison idea rather than a celebrated example
yardstick
vsmeasure
12 3.9

A way to judge how good or successful something is

is the broader term for any comparison or evaluation tool
point of reference
vsmeasure
9 4.1

A known example people use to judge or compare other things

is the general term for any comparison or evaluation basis
unit of measurement
vsmeasure
  • Specialized
3 3.2

A fixed amount used as a standard to measure length, weight, or volume

is the more general comparison idea, not a precise quantity
measuring unit
vsmeasure
1 2.7

A standard amount used to measure things like length or weight

is the general comparison concept rather than a named measurement quantity
standard of measurement
vsmeasure
  • Formal
1 3.0

An agreed unit used to measure and compare things

is the general idea of a comparison point, not necessarily official
mensurative
vsmeasure
  • Specialized
9.9

A unit used to measure amount or size

is the wider concept of a comparison or evaluation basis rather than a technical term

Antonyms

3 6.5

A thing that is not exact or clear, for example a measurement

Idioms

A small extra thing you add as a bonus

To a very great degree

Try as hard as possible to do something well

1 6.3

To check something carefully before you do it to avoid mistakes

Compounds

An extreme action you take when all other options fail

13 7.0

A government action that cuts public spending or raises taxes to reduce debt

12 2.0

A flexible strip marked with numbers used to measure length

A strong rule that people must follow to keep others safe

An action or tool that protects a country from attack

last full measure
  • Literature
1 9.5

A final effort using all a person's strength or life for a cause

A device or method that detects break-ins and sounds an alarm

A unit for area like a square meter or square foot

fundamental measure
  • Specialized
1 5.6

A basic quantity like length, mass, or time that measurement systems use

A unit that tells how much liquid is in a container, like a cup or liter

common measure
  • Specialized
1 5.2

A number that divides two or more numbers exactly with no remainder

A unit for the amount of space something takes, often based on a cube

dry measure
  • Specialized
1 6.8

A unit for measuring how much space dry goods like grain or fruit take

information measure
  • Specialized
1 7.1

A way to show how much uncertainty is in data or messages

capacity measure
  • Specialized
1 3.7

A unit used to measure how much a container can hold, like a liter or gallon

A unit for length like a meter or inch

1 1.8

A ruler exactly one yard long used to measure cloth and short distances

board measure
  • Specialized
1 8.2

A way to measure the amount of lumber using board feet

circular measure
  • Specialized
8.6

A way to measure angles using radians, where one full circle equals two pi radians

common measure
  • Literature
9.9

A group of four lines with four beats then three beats in alternating lines, often ABAB or ABCB rhyme

common measure
  • Specialized
4.6

A time pattern in music with four beats in each bar

A way for a company to keep employees from leaving

5.0

A set of units used mainly in Britain for measuring length, like inches, feet, and miles

security measure
  • Specialized
3.1

A rule or tool that protects computers and data from access without permission

How Authoritative

standard
∞ 1.6
measure
288 2.5
benchmark
62 4.2
guideline
282 3.1
rule of thumb
  • Informal
34 3.8

Surface Forms

measure singular
measures plural

Etymology

Measure comes from an old Latin word mensura and the verb metiri, both meaning 'to measure'. A measure as a standard is something you use to compare, like a ruler for quality, so the origin explains why it is a point for judgement.