comparative

1 of 2

adjective

com·​par·​a·​tive kəm-ˈper-ə-tiv 

-ˈpa-rə-

1

: of, relating to, or constituting the degree of comparison in a language that denotes increase in the quality, quantity, or relation expressed by an adjective or adverb

The comparative form of happy is happier.

The comparative form of clearly is more clearly.

2

: considered as if in comparison to something else as a standard not quite attained : relative

a comparative stranger

She's a comparative newcomer to the company.

3

: characterized by systematic comparison especially of likenesses and dissimilarities

comparative anatomy

a comparative analysis of the roles of women in different cultures

comparatively adverb

comparativeness noun

comparative

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: one that compares with another especially on equal footing : rival

b

: one that makes witty or mocking comparisons

2

: the comparative degree or form in a language

The comparative of tall is taller.

Synonyms

Adjective

• almost
• approximate
• near
• relative

Examples of comparative in a Sentence

Adjective

She did a comparative study of classical and modern art.

I'm taking a class in comparative anatomy.

a comparative analysis of the roles of women in different cultures

The comparative form of “happy” is “happier”; the comparative form of “good” is “better”; the comparative form of “clearly” is “more clearly.”

Noun

“Taller” is the comparative of “tall.”

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

And unlike many of our international peers, like Finland, Norway or the U.K., where, according to UNICEF, stillbirth rates fell by more than 20% or 30% between 2000 and 2019, the U.S. has seen comparative stillbirth rates fall by less than 10%. —Nancy Borowick, NPR, 11 Dec. 2024

Where there’s some comparative trouble is on defense, as Canada has the lowest Defensive Rating of any country. —Dom Luszczyszyn, The Athletic, 4 Dec. 2024

Noun

Its comparatives and superlatives bleed into each other, what may have once seemed like a watershed moment becomes routine. —Keith Gessen, The New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2024

Related Articles The comparatives with last year were particularly tough. —Samantha Conti, WWD, 16 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

see compare entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

comparative

1 of 2 adjective

com·​par·​a·​tive kəm-ˈpar-ət-iv 

1

: of, relating to, or constituting the degree of grammatical comparison that denotes increase in the quality, quantity, or relation expressed by an adjective or adverb

2

: measured by comparison : relative

a comparative stranger

3

: involving the study of things that are alike by comparing them

comparative anatomy

comparatively adverb

comparative

2 of 2 noun

: the comparative degree or a word form expressing it

"taller" is the comparative of "tall"

Medical Definition

comparative

adjective

com·​par·​a·​tive kəm-ˈpar-ət-iv 

: characterized by the systematic comparison of phenomena and especially of likenesses and dissimilarities

comparative anatomy

the study of blood types by comparative analysis

Legal Definition

comparative

adjective

com·​par·​a·​tive kəm-ˈpar-ə-tiv 

: characterized by systematic comparison

comparative contribution, which apportions according to…respective fault

—W. L. Prosser and W. P. Keeton

comparatively adverb