comparison

noun

com·​par·​i·​son kəm-ˈper-ə-sən 

-ˈpa-rə-

1

: the act or process of comparing: such as

a

: the representing of one thing or person as similar to or like another

His poetry invites comparison with the poems of Robert Frost.

b

: an examination of two or more items to establish similarities and dissimilarities

His faults seem minor by comparison.

a comparison of the sports cars

2

: identity of features : similarity

several points of comparison between the two

3

: the modification of an adjective or adverb to denote different levels of quality, quantity, or relation

Examples of comparison in a Sentence

a comparison of the data from the two studies

the comparison of monkeys to humans

I don't think comparisons of her situation and mine are appropriate.

Recent Examples on the Web

His other goal in his preceding 24 appearances — stabbed in from close range from a corner in another 6-0 Carabao Cup win, this time at Oxford United in round two — was mundane by comparison. —Andy Naylor, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025

Goodell admitted to watching other recent sports’ media deals and said, in comparison, the NFL is leaving money on the table. —Alex Sherman, CNBC, 24 Sep. 2025

By comparison, the vehicle miles traveled per resident for the residential portion of the project is said to be a less than significant transportation impact. —Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Sep. 2025

The other, more astute comparison might be to another game Kojima co-produced with legendary horror director Guillermo del Toro. —Brian Welk, IndieWire, 23 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French comparison, from Latin comparation-, comparatio, from comparare — see compare entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing comparison

• by/in comparison
• comparison shop
• draw a comparison
• evokes/invites comparison with
• make a comparison
• no comparison
• pale by comparison
• pale in/by comparison to/with
• stands/bears comparison

Rhymes for comparison

• intercomparison
• parison

Kids Definition

comparison

noun

com·​par·​i·​son kəm-ˈpar-ə-sən 

1

: the act of comparing : the state of being compared

2

: change in the form of an adjective or an adverb (as by having -er or -est added or more or most prefixed) to show different levels of quality, quantity, or relation