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
comparatively
adverbcomparativeness
nounIndulge Your Inner Word Nerd
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
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Only eight of these comparative rackets were created and all have been signed by Roger Federer.
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French did go to college and eventually earned his doctorate in comparative religion.
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Comparative figures for 2016 show Korea’s minimum wage at about $5.80 per hour, similar to Israel and Poland, but lower than Japan at around $7.40 and is about half of Germany’s, according to data by OECD.
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However, that's due in part to a high comparative base from the second quarter last year, when the U.K.'s unexpected decision to leave the EU caused a huge surge in trading in the last week of June.
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Pet theory: This sustained hunger for competition—along with a comparative gentleness on the body—is why so many former jocks favor golf.
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Most of the prisoners were not American, and lacked an American’s comparative legal (and diplomatic) advantages.
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That is crape myrtle scale, a comparative newcomer to America.
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Marina High School Major: business administration, $ Nirali Patel, Beckman High School Major: comparative biochemistry, undeclared Why this school?
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
comparative
Definition of comparative
1a : one that compares with another especially on equal footing : rivalb : one that makes witty or mocking comparisons
2 : the comparative degree or form in a language The comparative of tall is taller.
Examples of comparative in a Sentence
“Taller” is the comparative of “tall.”
First Known Use of comparative
15th century
COMPARATIVE Defined for English Language Learners
comparative
playDefinition of comparative for English Language Learners
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: seeming to be something when compared with others
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: involving the act of looking at the ways that things are alike or different
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grammar : of or relating to the form of an adjective or adverb that is used to indicate more of a particular quality
comparative
Definition of comparative for English Language Learners
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: 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
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.”
comparatively
adverb It was a comparatively easy hike.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
playMedical 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
playLegal Definition of comparative
: characterized by systematic comparison comparative contribution, which apportions according to…respective fault — W. L. Prosser and W. P. Keeton
comparatively
adverbLearn More about comparative
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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
Seen and Heard
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