comparative
Use Comparative in a sentence
ə adjective
1.
of or pertaining to comparison.
2.
proceeding by, founded on, or using comparison as a method of study: comparative anatomy.
3.
estimated by comparison; not positive or absolute; relative: a comparative newcomer in politics; to live in comparative luxury.
4.
Grammar. being, noting, or pertaining to the intermediate degree of the comparison of adjectives, as better and more beautiful, the comparative forms of good and beautiful, and of adverbs, as nearer and more carefully, the comparative forms of near and carefully. Compare positive ( def 20 ), superlative ( def 2 ).
noun Grammar.
5.
the comparative degree.
6.
a form in the comparative.
00:10
Comparative
is always a great word to know.
So is circumflex. Does it mean:
| a dash one em long. |
| a circumflex mark or accent. |
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To comparative
Collins
World English Dictionary
comparative (kəmˈpærətɪv) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —adj | |
| 1. | denoting or involving comparison: comparative literature |
| 2. | judged by comparison; relative: a comparative loss of prestige |
| 3. | grammar positive Compare superlative denoting the form of an adjective that indicates that the quality denoted is possessed to a greater extent. In English the comparative form of an adjective is usually marked by the suffix -er or the word more |
| —n | |
| 4. | the comparative form of an adjective |
| com'paratively | |
| —adv | |
| com'parativeness | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
comparative
1447, from L. comparativus "pertaining to comparison," from comparatus, pp. of comparare (see comparison). Originally grammatical; general sense is from c.1600; meaning "involving different branches of a subject" is from 1670s. Related: Comparatively (1570s).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Cultural Dictionary
comparative definition
A form of an adjective indicating a greater degree of the quality that the adjective describes. Better is the comparative form of good; faster is the comparative form of fast; bluer is the comparative form of blue; more charming is the comparative form of charming. (Compare superlative.)
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Example sentences
In comparative planetology, it is essential to collect data from different locations.
Comparing the genomes of different organisms is a burgeoning field of science called comparative genomics.
When taking an even broader, comparative perspective, monogamy isn't practiced by our closest relatives at all.
Teaching interests in comparative issues or political sociology a plus.
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