noun

conservative

kuhn-SUR-vuh-tihv

noun

A person who favours keeping things as they traditionally are and resists rapid change.

"He's a conservative by nature, wary of untested ideas."

A member or supporter of a Conservative political party.

"The constituency has elected a Conservative for decades."

adjective

Cautious and moderate, especially in estimates or predictions.

"That's a conservative estimate of how long the renovation will take."

"Analysts gave a conservative forecast for next year's sales."

Resistant to change; favouring traditional values, styles, or methods.

"The firm has a conservative dress code."

How to Use Conservative

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishCautious, traditional, or resistant to change — or, capitalised, a member of a Conservative political party.

UK vs US

In the UK, "Conservative" (capitalised) usually refers to the Conservative Party; in the US, "conservative" more often describes a general political outlook rather than one specific party.

Common pairings

conservative estimate socially conservative the Conservative Party

Word Forms

more conservative comparative, conservatives plural, Conservatives plural, most conservative superlative

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He's a _____ by nature, wary of untested ideas.

Etymology

From Middle French conservatif, from Latin conservare, "to preserve" — built from conserve plus -ative.

Rhymes for conservative

Ive five give dive live hive jive vive olive drive alive waive

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