Quant

//kwɒnt// adj, name, noun, verb

adj, name, noun, verb ·Uncommon ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    Quantitative analysis or research. uncountable

    "We believe there is a role for both qual and quant in professional services."

  2. 2
    A punting pole with a broad flange near the end to prevent it from sinking into the mud; a setting pole.
  3. 3
    A quantitative analyst. countable

    "Judy Mills: Oh, and I was very excited to hear about your agency's new emphasis on hard numbers and data. Simon: Excuse me? Judy Mills: Yeah, I heard you hired a quant."

  4. 4
    A vertical shaft used to drive a millstone.
  5. 5
    Clipping of quantity. abbreviation, alt-of, clipping, countable, uncountable
Show 1 more definition
  1. 6
    Clipping of quantifier. abbreviation, alt-of, clipping, countable, uncountable
Verb
  1. 1
    To propel using a quant. intransitive, transitive
Adjective
  1. 1
    Clipping of quantifiable. abbreviation, alt-of, clipping, not-comparable
  2. 2
    Clipping of quantitative. abbreviation, alt-of, clipping, not-comparable

    "Finally, in the school of education, I found coursework that included qual and quant methodology."

Proper Noun
  1. 1
    A surname from Middle English.

Example

More examples

"We believe there is a role for both qual and quant in professional services."

Etymology

Etymology 1

Shortening.

Etymology 2

Uncertain. A borrowing from Latin contus (“long pole”) has been suggested, but the -a- is problematic.

Etymology 3

Nickname from Middle English cwointe (“intelligent, smart, cunning”), the origin of quaint.

Related phrases

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.