comparative
kuhm-PA-ruh-tihv
Comparative (adjective) means Measured or judged by comparison rather than in absolute terms. Example: “They enjoyed a period of comparative peace after years of conflict.”
adjective
1
Measured or judged by comparison rather than in absolute terms.
"They enjoyed a period of comparative peace after years of conflict."
"He lives in comparative comfort now that he has a steady job."
"The comparative cost of living is lower in smaller towns."
noun
1
The grammatical form of an adjective or adverb used to compare two things, such as "bigger" or "more quickly."
""Faster" is the comparative form of "fast.""
"The teacher explained that "happier" is a comparative made by adding -er."
"The comparative of "good" is "better", which is irregular."
How to use comparative
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRelating to comparison — either judged relative to something else, or (in grammar) the "-er"/"more" form of a word.
Common pairings
comparative advantage
comparative form
comparative ease
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Word forms
- Plural
- comparatives
- Comparative
- more comparative
- Superlative
- most comparative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They enjoyed a period of _____ peace after years of conflict.
Etymology
From Latin comparativus, from comparare ("to compare").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for comparative
See all rhymes for comparative →Frequently asked questions
What does “comparative” mean?
The word “comparative” means measured or judged by comparison rather than in absolute terms. In plain terms, relating to comparison — either judged relative to something else, or (in grammar) the "-er"/"more" form of a word.
How do you pronounce “comparative”?
“Comparative” is pronounced kuhm-PA-ruh-tihv (/kəmˈpæɹətɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “comparative” in a sentence?
Here is “comparative” used in a sentence: “They enjoyed a period of comparative peace after years of conflict.”
What part of speech is “comparative”?
Depending on how it is used, “comparative” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “comparative” come from?
The word “comparative” comes from Latin. From Latin comparativus, from comparare ("to compare").
Is “comparative” a common word?
“Comparative” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “comparative” have?
“Comparative” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: measured or judged by comparison rather than in absolute terms.
What is the difference between comparative and superlative?
The comparative form of an adjective or adverb, such as "bigger" or "more quickly," is used to compare two things, while the superlative form, such as "biggest" or "most quickly," is used to compare three or more things and identify the extreme. Comparative expresses a relative difference between two items, not an absolute top or bottom.
When should you use comparative instead of absolute terms?
Comparative is used when something is measured or judged by comparison rather than in absolute terms, such as describing "comparative wealth" to mean wealth relative to others rather than a fixed amount. It signals that the judgment depends on a point of reference, not a fixed standard.
How do you form the comparative of an adjective?
Short adjectives typically add "-er," such as "bigger" or "faster," while longer adjectives use "more" before the base form, such as "more quickly" or "more interesting." Some adjectives are irregular, such as "good" becoming "better."
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