Ordinal data are categorical data that can be ranked. That is, we may use words like better, worse, higher or smaller for data measured on an ordinal scale.

Example 1

Education level is ordinal. It is measured originally in words but can be quantified. Moreover, people may be ranked according to their educational level.

Example 2

The common Likert scale, such as Strongly disagree/Disagree/Agree/Strongly agree, is ordinal. It can be quantified and used to rank people.