relative

1 of 2

noun

rel·​a·​tive ˈre-lə-tiv 

1

: a word referring grammatically to an antecedent

2

: a thing having a relation to or connection with or necessary dependence on another thing

3

a

: a person connected with another by blood or affinity

b

: an animal or plant related to another by common descent

4

: a relative term

relative

2 of 2

adjective

1

: introducing a subordinate clause qualifying an expressed or implied antecedent

a relative pronoun

also : introduced by such a connective

a relative clause

2

: relevant, pertinent

matters relative to world peace

3

: not absolute or independent : comparative

the relative isolation of life in the country

4

: having the same key signature

—used of major and minor keys and scales

5

: expressed as the ratio of the specified quantity (such as an error in measuring) to the total magnitude (such as the value of a measured quantity) or to the mean of all the quantities involved

Synonyms

Noun

• cousin
• kin
• kinsman
• relation

Adjective

• almost
• approximate
• comparative
• near

Example Sentences

Noun

At the family reunion, I saw relatives I haven't seen in years.

He inherited a small piece of land from a distant relative.

The donkey is a relative of the horse.

Adjective

the relative value of two houses

the relative positions of the islands

We discussed the relative merits of each school.

“Who,” “whom,” “whose,” “which,” and “that” are all relative pronouns.

The phrase “that won” in “the book that won” is a relative clause.

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Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Their daughter, now an adult living in Canada, was just 6 when Mr. Pokhrel died, said the relative, Mr. Regmi. —Mujib Mashal, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2023

The sheriff revealed that Renner had been using his snowplow to pull his car — which was being driven by a relative — out of the snow. —Christi Carrasstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 5 Jan. 2023

Its closest relative, a fellow podocarp—a family of southern conifers—occurs in New Zealand. —Jared Farmer, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Jan. 2023

The sporty puffer jacket now has a stylish relative—the padded coat. —Madeline Fass, Vogue, 20 Dec. 2022

At least 17 members of one family were among those killed when a fire tore through a top-floor apartment in the Gaza Strip during a birthday party, a relative said Friday. —Fatima Shbair, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Nov. 2022

One relative, speaking on the condition of anonymity out of fear for his safety, said Pelado’s ambitions were larger. —Terrence Mccoy, Washington Post, 12 Oct. 2022

Franklin, who also was in the care of DCFS, was looking forward to her senior year at Curie High School and was anxiously awaiting the prom, a relative said from Florida, where family members were spending the Fourth of July holiday. —Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 3 July 2022

Gea Sierdsma, a distant Dutch relative of Santos who has researched the family's genealogy, and professional genealogist Megan Smolenyak both found no evidence of Jewish or Ukrainian roots in the Santos family tree. —Peter Weber, The Week, 6 Jan. 2023

Adjective

In recent history alone, teams such as Auburn in 2010 and Oklahoma in 2000 have come out of relative obscurity to score shocking championships. —Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY, 9 Jan. 2023

Ascend Agency has built a powerful reputation around taking brands from relative obscurity to profitable visibility. —Billboard Staff, Billboard, 9 Jan. 2023

Vermeer died in debt and relative obscurity in 1675 at age 43. —Ella Feldman, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Jan. 2023

This show argues that her relative obscurity, despite her many cultural contributions, may be a result of blacklisting by radio stations and industry executives. —Laura Jane Standley, The Atlantic, 30 Dec. 2022

Bonnie Baxter — The Westminster College biologist and director of the Great Salt Lake Institute worked in relative obscurity until the famous body of water became infamous. —Tim Fitzpatrick, The Salt Lake Tribune, 9 Dec. 2022

That Duggan emerged from relative obscurity – how many Heisman finalists don’t begin the season as a starter? – is a significant achievement. —Dallas News, 9 Dec. 2022

Raducanu was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire following her historic exploits on the court, rising from relative obscurity to win the US Open in 2021 without dropping a set in the entire tournament. —Max Foster, CNN, 2 Dec. 2022

Alabama rode that mentality from relative obscurity to within two wins of would be, perhaps the most improbable national title in recent memory. —Michael Casagrande | [e-mail], al, 2 Dec. 2022

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Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing relative

• relative humidity
• relative to
• relative wind
• it's all relative
• blood relative

• relative humidity
• relative to
• relative wind
• it's all relative
• blood relative

Kids Definition

relative

1 of 2 noun

rel·​a·​tive ˈrel-ət-iv 

1

: a word referring grammatically to one that comes before it

2

: a person connected with another by blood or marriage

relative

2 of 2 adjective

1

a

: introducing a subordinate clause that qualifies an expressed or implied antecedent

relative pronoun

b

: introduced by a word having such an antecedent

relative clause

2

: relevant, pertinent

questions relative to the topic

3

: existing in comparison to something else

the relative value of two houses

4

: having the same key signature

—used of major and minor keys and scales

relativeness noun

Legal Definition

relative

adjective

rel·​a·​tive

1

: not absolute

2

in the civil law of Louisiana : having or allowing some legal effect

a relative impediment

a relative simulation

see also relative nullity at nullity

relatively adverb