comparative

adjective com·par·a·tive \ kəm-ˈper-ə-tiv , -ˈpa-rə- \

Updated on: 9 Dec 2017

Definition of comparative

1 : of, relating to, or constituting the degree of comparison in a language that denotes increase in the quality, quantity, or relation expressed by an adjective or adverb

The comparative form of happy is happier.

The comparative form of clearly is more clearly.

2 : considered as if in comparison to something else as a standard not quite attained : relative

a comparative stranger

She's a comparative newcomer to the company.

3 : characterized by systematic comparison especially of likenesses and dissimilarities

comparative anatomy

a comparative analysis of the roles of women in different cultures

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comparatively

adverb

—

comparativeness

noun

See comparative defined for English-language learners

See comparative defined for kids

Examples of comparative in a Sentence

She did a comparative study of classical and modern art.
I'm taking a class in comparative anatomy.
a comparative analysis of the roles of women in different cultures
The comparative form of “happy” is “happier”; the comparative form of “good” is “better”; the comparative form of “clearly” is “more clearly.”

Recent Examples of comparative from the Web

Before Saturday's CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon, Jones, 41, snoozed in the lap of comparative luxury — a Quality Inn.

— domenica bongiovanni, Indianapolis Star, "This Indy marathoner, who sometimes sleeps in a minivan, is trying to run into a world record," 4 Nov. 2017
The study places New Orleans 73rd out of 100 cities worldwide and 11th out of 20 United States cities, per a comparative index that examines several social, economic and environmental factors related to public transit and traffic.

— beau evans, NOLA.com, "Not bad, not great: New Orleans' public transit, traffic ranks so-so in worldwide study," 31 Oct. 2017
Perhaps the lower prices will be enough to give the company comparative advantage.

— natasha bach, Fortune, "A Staple Voice in New York, the Daily News, Was Just Sold to Tronc," 5 Sep. 2017
Harris is a comparative unknown on the national stage - one recent poll found that 53% of voters had never heard of her.

— the tylt, AL.com, "Should Kamala Harris run for president?," 24 Oct. 2017
Here's a comparative breakdown: In 1990, the percentage of white people featured: 76 percent.

— nicole spector /, NBC News, "What Makes Someone 'Most Beautiful' Is Changing, Study Says," 11 Oct. 2017
There's something in the sound of it: ephemeral, kind of beautiful, dark feeling, comparative to the Red House Painters and My Morning Jacket.

— zane warman, Billboard, "Strawberry Runners Premiere 'Garden Hose' Video, Talk DIY in the Midwest," 7 Nov. 2017
Sure, there are times that Keller might get bumped off pucks due to comparative lack of strength.

— alex prewitt, SI.com, "Full of Swagger and ‘Hockey Genius,’ Rookie Clayton Keller a Bright Spot for Coyotes," 31 Oct. 2017
Goh completed her doctorate in psychology in 2014, and Ottolenghi finished a master’s in comparative literature in 1996; their conversations tend to be long and analytical.

— howie kahn, WSJ, "An Innovative Dessert Cookbook You Won’t Want to Miss," 2 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'comparative.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of comparative

see ¹compare

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

comparative Synonyms

Synonyms

almost, approximate, near, relative

Antonyms

absolute, complete, downright, out-and-out, outright, perfect, pure, unqualified

Related Words

alike, comparable, similar; equal, equivalent

Near Antonyms

genuine, real, true

comparative

noun

Definition of comparative

1 a : one that compares with another especially on equal footing : rival

b : one that makes witty or mocking comparisons

2 : the comparative degree or form in a language

The comparative of tall is taller.

See comparative defined for English-language learners

Examples of comparative in a Sentence

“Taller” is the comparative of “tall.”

Recent Examples of comparative from the Web

Why this matters: Reports from an independent testing organization like AV-Comparatives are important for the average PC user.

— ian paul, PCWorld, "AV-Comparatives' anti-phishing results for 2017 put Avast, Bitdefender, Fortinet, and Kaspersky on top," 1 Aug. 2017
Other poll comparatives from March fell like dominoes.

— david paleologos, USA TODAY, "Paleologos on the poll: Replacing Obamacare is a sensitive 'Operation'," 29 June 2017

First Known Use of comparative

15th century

COMPARATIVE Defined for English Language Learners

comparative

adjective

Definition of comparative for English Language Learners

: seeming to be something when compared with others
: involving the act of looking at the ways that things are alike or different
grammar : of or relating to the form of an adjective or adverb that is used to indicate more of a particular quality

comparative

noun

Definition of comparative for English Language Learners

: the comparative form of an adjective or adverb : the form of an adjective or adverb that is used to indicate more of a particular quality

COMPARATIVE Defined for Kids

comparative

adjective com·par·a·tive \ kəm-ˈper-ə-tiv \

Definition of comparative for Students

1 : not entirely but more so than others : relative

We live in comparative freedom.

2 : of or relating to the form of an adjective or adverb that shows an increase in the quality that the adjective or adverb expresses

“Taller” is the comparative form of “tall.”

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comparatively

adverb

It was a comparatively easy hike.

comparative

noun

Definition of comparative for Students

: the degree or form in a language that indicates an increase in the quality expressed by an adjective or adverb

“Taller” is the comparative of “tall.”

Medical Dictionary

comparative

adjective com·par·a·tive \ kəm-ˈpar-ət-iv \

medical Definition of comparative

: characterized by the systematic comparison of phenomena and especially of likenesses and dissimilarities

comparative anatomy

the study of blood types by comparative analysis

Law Dictionary

comparative

adjective com·par·a·tive \ kəm-ˈpar-ə-tiv \

legal Definition of comparative

: characterized by systematic comparison

comparative contribution, which apportions according to…respective fault
—W. L. Prosser and W. P. Keeton

—

comparatively

adverb

Learn More about comparative

See words that rhyme with comparative Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for comparative Spanish Central: Translation of comparative Nglish: Translation of comparative for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of comparative for Arabic speakers

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Definition of comparative

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Examples of comparative in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of comparative

comparative Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

comparative

Definition of comparative

Examples of comparative in a Sentence

Recent Examples of comparative from the Web

First Known Use of comparative

Phrases Related to COMPARATIVE

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COMPARATIVE Defined for English Language Learners

comparative

Definition of comparative for English Language Learners

comparative

Definition of comparative for English Language Learners

COMPARATIVE Defined for Kids

comparative

Definition of comparative for Students

comparatively

comparative

Definition of comparative for Students

Medical Dictionary

comparative

medical Definition of comparative

Law Dictionary

comparative

legal Definition of comparative

comparatively

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