relatively

adverb

rel·​a·​tive·​ly ˈre-lə-tiv-lē 

: to a relative degree or extent : somewhat

a relatively small group of people

relatively cool weather

The house is relatively new.

Phrases

relatively speaking

1

: when compared to others that are similar

The procedure was quick, relatively speaking.

Relatively speaking, the movie wasn't bad.

2

—used to say that something is true or correct as a general statement even if it is not entirely true or correct

The trip was, relatively speaking, a disaster.

Synonyms

• enough
• fairly
• kind of
• kindly [chiefly Southern]
• like
• moderately
• more or less
• pretty
• quite
• rather
• something
• somewhat
• sort of

Examples of relatively in a Sentence

these newly acquired in-laws felt relatively comfortable at our family reunion

Recent Examples on the Web

Such a scenario seemed unlikely for most of the match as India set a relatively low score of 119 all out and Pakistan began its run chase with composure, but key wickets lost at crucial times consigned it to a damaging defeat. —Issy Ronald, CNN, 9 June 2024

Inflation by the Fed’s preferred measure was 2.7% in the year through April, and economists expect relatively little progress toward the central bank’s 2% goal in the second half of the year when compared to low monthly figures in late 2023. —Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 8 June 2024

The threat of severe weather is relatively low in areas to the south and east. —Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 7 June 2024

Pros: His populist, Rust Belt origins could help motivated uneducated white voters, who historically turn out in relatively low numbers, to head to voting booths for Trump. —Jeongyoon Han, NPR, 6 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing relatively

• relatively prime
• relatively speaking

Kids Definition

relatively

adverb

rel·​a·​tive·​ly

ˈrel-ət-iv-lē

: somewhat entry 2