comparative — English Dictionary

comparative
Pronunciations (4)
  • /kəmˈpæɹətɪv/
    Pronunciation notes
    • Received-Pronunciation
  • /kəmˈpæɹətɪv/
  • /kəmˈpɛɹətɪv/
  • kəmˈpæɹ.ə.tɪv
    Pronunciation notes
    • GB

Adjective

  1. Of or relating to comparison.

    Examples

    He gave us a comparative example to illustrate how the human mind works.

    that kind of animals that have the comparative faculty, by which they compare things together, deliberate and resolve.

  2. Using comparison as a method of study, or founded on something using it.

    Examples

    A comparative study between Homo Sapiens and Homo neanderthalensis.

    comparative anatomy

    More examples (1)

    After all, it is undeniable that the B.R. standard coach scored highly in comparative trials with other European railway vehicles on the Continent a few years ago, so that B.R. civil engineers must share responsibility for any defects in its behaviour over here.

  3. Approximated by comparison; relative.

    Examples

    I've passed the test with comparative ease.

    The Olympics, the weather and a comparative lack of heavyweight clashes so far this season have been cited as reasons for the drop in viewers.

    More examples (2)

    The recurrence of comparative warmth and cold.

    This bubble, […] by reason of its comparative levity to the fluid that encloses it, would necessarily ascend to the top.

  4. Comparable; bearing comparison.

    Usage
    • Obsolete
    Examples

    And need he had of slumber yet, for none / Had suffered more—his hardships were comparative / To those related in my grand-dad's Narrative.

Noun

  1. The degree of comparison of an adjective or adverb used when comparing two entities in terms of a certain property or a certain way of doing something. In English, the comparative of superiority is formed by adding the suffix -er or the word more (e.g. bigger, more fully); the comparative of equality, by adding the word as (e.g. as big, as fully); the comparative of inferiority, by adding the word less (e.g. less big, less fully).

  2. An adjective or adverb in the comparative degree.

  3. Data used to make a comparison.

    Usage
    • in-plural
    Examples
    More examples (1)

    Investment ratios are positive. Comparative or trend data are required to draw final conclusions. The absence of comparatives and trend data constrains the conclusions.

  4. An equal; a rival; a compeer.

    Usage
    • Obsolete
    Examples

    Gerrard ever was / His full comparative.

  5. One who makes comparisons; one who affects wit.

    Usage
    • Obsolete
    Examples

    Every beardless vain comparative.

Adjective

  1. relating to or based on or involving comparison

    Examples

    comparative linguistics

    the comparative form of an adjective

  2. estimated by comparison; not absolute or complete

    Synonyms
    Examples

    a relative stranger

Noun

  1. the comparative form of an adjective or adverb

    Broader terms
    Examples

    ‘faster’ is the comparative of the adjective ‘fast’

    ‘less famous’ is the comparative degree of the adjective ‘famous’

    More examples (1)

    ‘more surely’ is the comparative of the adverb ‘surely’

Word forms
more comparativemost comparativecomparatives

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