comparison
kuhm-PAR-ih-suhn
Comparison (noun) means an act of comparing two or more things, or the result of doing so. Example: “A quick comparison of prices showed the online store was cheaper.”
noun
1
An act of comparing two or more things, or the result of doing so.
"A quick comparison of prices showed the online store was cheaper."
"There's no comparison between the two restaurants — one is far better."
"In comparison with last year, this winter has been very mild."
How to use comparison
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe act, or result, of examining things side by side.
Common pairings
by comparison
draw a comparison
in comparison to
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Word forms
- Plural
- comparisons
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A quick _____ of prices showed the online store was cheaper.
Etymology
From Old French comparison, from Latin comparatio, from comparare ("to compare").
Synonyms
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contrast
juxtaposition
analogy
correlation
evaluation
weighing up
compare
comparing
equivalence
comparability
Related words
Rhymes for comparison
See all rhymes for comparison →Frequently asked questions
What does “comparison” mean?
The word “comparison” means an act of comparing two or more things, or the result of doing so. In plain terms, the act, or result, of examining things side by side.
How do you pronounce “comparison”?
“Comparison” is pronounced kuhm-PAR-ih-suhn (/kəmˈpæɹ.ɪ.sən/ in IPA).
How do you use “comparison” in a sentence?
Here is “comparison” used in a sentence: “A quick comparison of prices showed the online store was cheaper.”
What part of speech is “comparison”?
“Comparison” is a noun.
Where does the word “comparison” come from?
The word “comparison” comes from Latin. From Old French comparison, from Latin comparatio, from comparare ("to compare").
Is “comparison” a common word?
“Comparison” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between comparison and contrast?
Comparison examines two or more things to find how they are alike, and often how they differ too. Contrast focuses specifically on the differences between them. Comparison is the broader act, weighing similarities and differences together, while contrast zeroes in on what sets things apart. The two are often used side by side.
What is an example of comparison?
Everyday comparison might mean weighing two phones by price, features, and battery life before buying. In language, comparison appears in figures of speech: a simile compares using "like" or "as," as in "brave as a lion," while a metaphor compares directly. Each sets things side by side to judge or illuminate them.
What is comparison in grammar?
In grammar, comparison is how adjectives and adverbs change to show degree. The positive form is the base word, like "tall." The comparative compares two things, as in "taller," and the superlative marks the extreme among three or more, as in "tallest." These are known as the degrees of comparison.
Why are comparisons useful?
Comparisons help us understand and decide. By setting things side by side, we can weigh options, spot patterns, and judge quality, value, or difference. They make the unfamiliar clearer by relating it to something known, and they underpin everyday choices, scientific analysis, and persuasive writing alike, which is why comparison is such a basic tool of thought.
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