adverb

relatively

REHL-uh-tihv-lee

adverb

Fairly or somewhat, when judged against a typical standard.

"The exam was relatively easy compared to last year's."

"Traffic was relatively light for a Friday afternoon."

In comparison with something else, rather than in an absolute sense.

"The two results should be judged relatively, not on their own."

How to Use Relatively

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishCompared to what you'd normally expect — a softening word that makes a claim less absolute.

Memory tip

Use it to soften a statement: "relatively cheap" is less bold than just saying "cheap."

Common pairings

relatively easy relatively new relatively speaking

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Can you complete this real example?

The exam was _____ easy compared to last year's.

Ely rely Neely comely lonely timely lovely homely widely lively lately rarely