Quality of life (QOL) is a phrase which was first used shortly after the Second World War and has, since then, been overused and infrequently defined A concept analysis of QOL is presented to clarify the concept for further use The process for concept analysis developed by Walker&Avant is employed Quality of life is found to be very complex, and it is hoped that this analysis will stimulate thought and further nursing research into what QOL means in the health care context