conservative
kuhn-SUR-vuh-tihv
Conservative (noun) means a person who favours keeping things as they traditionally are and resists rapid change. Example: “He's a conservative by nature, wary of untested ideas.”
noun
1
A person who favours keeping things as they traditionally are and resists rapid change.
"He's a conservative by nature, wary of untested ideas."
"My grandmother is a conservative who still writes every letter by hand."
"As a conservative, he prefers to stick with methods that have always worked."
2
A member or supporter of a Conservative political party.
"The constituency has elected a Conservative for decades."
"She has been a loyal Conservative since she first voted as a student."
"The local Conservatives held a meeting at the village hall last night."
adjective
1
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."
"We made a conservative guess about how many guests would come to the party."
2
Resistant to change; favouring traditional values, styles, or methods.
"The firm has a conservative dress code."
"My parents have quite conservative tastes in music and furniture."
"The village remained conservative, and many people disliked the new road layout."
How to use conservative
Learner’s notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- conservatives
- Comparative
- more conservative
- Superlative
- most conservative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He's a _____ by nature, wary of untested ideas.
Etymology
From Middle French conservatif, from Latin conservare, "to preserve" — built from conserve plus -ative.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for conservative
See all rhymes for conservative →Frequently asked questions
What does “conservative” mean?
The word “conservative” means a person who favours keeping things as they traditionally are and resists rapid change. In plain terms, cautious, traditional, or resistant to change — or, capitalised, a member of a Conservative political party.
How do you pronounce “conservative”?
“Conservative” is pronounced kuhn-SUR-vuh-tihv (/kənˈsɝvətɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “conservative” in a sentence?
Here is “conservative” used in a sentence: “He's a conservative by nature, wary of untested ideas.”
What part of speech is “conservative”?
Depending on how it is used, “conservative” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “conservative” come from?
The word “conservative” comes from Latin. From Middle French conservatif, from Latin conservare, "to preserve" — built from conserve plus -ative.
Is “conservative” a common word?
“Conservative” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “conservative” have?
“Conservative” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who favours keeping things as they traditionally are and resists rapid change.
What is the difference between a conservative and a liberal?
Broadly, a conservative favours keeping established traditions, institutions, and values, and is cautious about rapid change. A liberal is more open to reform and change, often prioritising individual freedoms and new approaches. The labels shift between countries and eras, but this contrast between preserving and reforming is the common thread.
Does 'conservative' always refer to politics?
No. As a noun it usually names someone with traditional political views, but the word has a wider sense. Describing a person, estimate, or choice as conservative can simply mean cautious, moderate, or restrained — a conservative guess is a deliberately low, safe one, with no political meaning at all.
Is 'conservative' a positive or negative word?
It is neither by itself — it depends on the speaker's viewpoint. To some, conservative signals stability, prudence, and respect for tradition; to others it suggests resistance to needed change. In its non-political sense, calling a figure conservative is usually neutral, meaning careful and unlikely to overstate.
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