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 of relatively

• pretty
• quite
• fairly
• rather
• somewhat
• enough
• something

Examples of relatively in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Funding from Congress has stayed relatively flat, even as costs have risen, leading teams to struggle to pay for basic things like vehicle maintenance and rent for the warehouses to store their equipment. —Rebecca Hersher, NPR, 4 Dec. 2025

Granada is one of the oldest cities in the Americas, having relatively recently celebrated its 500th anniversary in 2024. —Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 4 Dec. 2025

And the views — especially from the upper floors and the sky pool — lend logic to the decision to build a 377-meter hotel such a relatively small patch of earth. —Bijan Hosseini, CNN Money, 4 Dec. 2025

Swiss cheese is relatively low in calories, which can help prevent weight gain. —Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 4 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing relatively

• relatively prime

Kids Definition

relatively

adverb

rel·​a·​tive·​ly

ˈrel-ət-iv-lē

: somewhat entry 2