calibre
/kah-LEE-bray/
caliber
Calibre, meaning the diameter of a bullet or gun barrel.
calibre(noun)
caliber
?diameter of a bullet or gun barrel
,gauge
?diameter of wire, pipe, or thickness
bore
?internal diameter
📝 In Action
La policía encontró balas de calibre nueve milímetros.
B1The police found nine-millimeter caliber bullets.
Necesitamos un cable de calibre más grueso para esta instalación eléctrica.
B2We need a thicker gauge wire for this electrical installation.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Masculine
Even though it ends in '-e', 'calibre' is always a masculine noun, so use 'el' or 'un' before it.
⭐ Usage Tips
Technical Context
When talking about weapons or tools, 'calibre' refers specifically to the width or size of the opening or projectile.
Calibre, meaning quality or level of excellence.
calibre(noun)
quality
?level of excellence
,stature
?importance or standing
magnitude
?scale or size of importance
,level
?standard achieved
📝 In Action
Necesitamos contratar a un profesional de alto calibre para liderar el equipo.
B2We need to hire a professional of high caliber (high quality) to lead the team.
La crisis fue de un calibre que nadie había anticipado.
C1The crisis was of a magnitude that no one had anticipated.
💡 Grammar Points
Figurative Use
When used figuratively, 'calibre' usually follows 'de' (of) to describe the quality or level of a person or situation.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Quality and Size
Mistake: "Usar 'calibre grande' para decir 'great quality'."
Correction: Use 'alto calibre' or 'gran calibre' when talking about quality, not 'calibre grande' (which sounds like physical size).
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Language
Using 'calibre' to describe quality or stature is generally considered more formal and respectful than using simple words like 'bueno' (good) or 'importante' (important).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: calibre
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'calibre' to describe quality rather than a physical measurement?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
¿Es 'calibre' una palabra femenina o masculina?
Es una palabra masculina. Siempre decimos 'el calibre' o 'un calibre'.
How did 'calibre' go from meaning 'size' to meaning 'quality'?
The shift happened because a standard, precise measurement ('calibre') became associated with a high standard of quality or importance. If something is 'de alto calibre,' it meets a high standard, just like a precisely measured tool.