compare

1 of 2

verb

com·​pare kəm-ˈper 

compared; comparing

transitive verb

1

: to represent as similar : liken

Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?

—William Shakespeare

2

a

: to examine the character or qualities of especially in order to discover resemblances or differences

compare your responses with the answers

b

: to view in relation to

He is tall compared to me.

The test was easy compared with the last one.

3

: to inflect or modify (an adjective or adverb) according to the degrees of comparison : state the positive, comparative, and superlative forms of

intransitive verb

1

: to bear being compared

The two don't even begin to compare.

We bought two different brands of peanut butter to see how they compare.

2

: to make comparisons

If we now go to Italy at all, we go not to learn, but to compare.

—Norman Douglas

3

: to be equal or alike

Nothing compares to you.

compare

2 of 2

noun

: the possibility of comparing

beauty beyond compare

also : something with which to be compared

a city without compare

Synonyms

Verb

• equate

Choose the Right Synonym for compare

compare, contrast, collate mean to set side by side in order to show differences and likenesses.

compare implies an aim of showing relative values or excellences by bringing out characteristic qualities whether similar or divergent.

compared the convention facilities of the two cities

contrast implies an emphasis on differences.

contrasted the computerized system with the old filing cards

collate implies minute and critical inspection in order to note points of agreement or divergence.

data from districts around the country will be collated

Examples of compare in a Sentence

Verb

The singer's voice has been compared to that of Elvis.

We each did the homework assignment, then compared answers.

I compared several bicycles before buying one.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

How does this compare with their fellow title contenders in recent years? —Mark Carey, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025

Last week, air traffic control absences accounted for 53% of flight delays since the shutdown began, compared with 5% normally. —David Shepardson, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025

Noun

How does the new flavor compare? —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2025

How does Mutual of Omaha compare? —Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French comparer, from Latin comparare to couple, compare, from compar like, from com- + par equal

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1589, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing compare

• beyond compare
• compare and contrast
• compare apples and/to/with apples
• compare apples and/to/with oranges
• compare notes
• without compare

Rhymes for compare

• abwehr
• affair
• affaire
• airfare
• altair
• armchair
• aware
• beware
• bugbear
• carfare
• childcare
• cookware

Kids Definition

compare

1 of 2 verb

com·​pare kəm-ˈpa(ə)r 

-ˈpe(ə)r

compared; comparing

1

: to describe as similar

compare an anthill to a town

2

: to examine in order to discover likenesses or differences

compare two bicycles

3

a

: to be worthy of comparison

roller-skating does not compare with ice-skating

b

: to appear in comparison to others

compares well with the rest of the class

4

: to inflect or modify (an adjective or adverb) according to the degrees of comparison

compare

2 of 2 noun

: the possibility of comparing

beauty beyond compare

Etymology

Verb

Middle English comparen "to show to be similar, examine for points of likeness," from early French comparer (same meaning), from Latin comparare "to couple, compare," from compar (adjective) "like, similar," from com- "with, together" and par "equal" — related to pair, par, peer, umpire see Word History at umpire