adjective
Common
comparable
KOM-puh-ruh-buhl
Comparable (adjective) means Similar enough to something else that a meaningful comparison can be made. Example: “A comparable flat in the next street costs about the same to rent.”
adjective
1
Similar enough to something else that a meaningful comparison can be made.
"A comparable flat in the next street costs about the same to rent."
"The two job offers were comparable in salary but not in benefits."
"Her results were comparable to those of far more experienced researchers."
How to use comparable
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSimilar enough to stand up to comparison.
Common mistake
Usually followed by "to" (comparable to) rather than "with," though both are seen in practice.
Common pairings
comparable to
roughly comparable
directly comparable
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Word forms
- Plural
- comparables
- Comparative
- more comparable
- Superlative
- most comparable
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ flat in the next street costs about the same to rent.
Etymology
From Latin comparabilis, from comparare ("to compare").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for comparable
See all rhymes for comparable →Frequently asked questions
What does “comparable” mean?
The word “comparable” means similar enough to something else that a meaningful comparison can be made. In plain terms, similar enough to stand up to comparison.
How do you pronounce “comparable”?
“Comparable” is pronounced KOM-puh-ruh-buhl (/ˈkɒmpəɹəbəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “comparable” in a sentence?
Here is “comparable” used in a sentence: “The two job offers were comparable in salary but not in benefits.”
What part of speech is “comparable”?
“Comparable” is an adjective.
Where does the word “comparable” come from?
The word “comparable” comes from Latin. From Latin comparabilis, from comparare ("to compare").
Is “comparable” a common word?
“Comparable” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between comparable and similar?
Similar simply means alike in some way. Comparable means alike enough that a meaningful comparison can be made, and it often implies being roughly equal in size, status, or quality — two "comparable salaries" are not just similar in kind but close in amount.
Is it comparable to or comparable with?
Both are standard. Traditional guidance says "comparable to" asserts likeness ("a result comparable to last year's"), while "comparable with" suggests two things are worth examining side by side. In modern usage "comparable to" is far more common and is acceptable in almost all contexts.
What are comparables in real estate?
In real estate, comparables — often shortened to "comps" — are recently sold properties similar enough to the one being valued that a meaningful price comparison can be made. Agents and appraisers use them to estimate what a home should sell for.
What is the opposite of comparable?
Dissimilar covers the plain sense of not being alike enough to compare. Incomparable is the direct negative form, but note its usual meaning is "so outstanding as to be beyond comparison" — calling something incomparable is normally praise, not a neutral statement that two things differ.
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