relative
a person who is connected with another or others by blood or marriage.
something having, or standing in, some relation or connection to something else.
something dependent upon external conditions for its specific nature, size, etc. (opposed to absolute).
Grammar. a relative pronoun, adjective, or adverb.
considered in relation to something else; comparative: the relative merits of democracy and monarchy.
existing or having its specific nature only by relation to something else; not absolute or independent: Happiness is relative.
having relation or connection.
having reference or regard; relevant; pertinent (usually followed by to): to determine the facts relative to an accident.
correspondent; proportionate: Value is relative to demand.
(of a term, name, etc.) depending for significance upon something else: “Better” is a relative term.
Grammar.
noting or pertaining to a word that introduces a subordinate clause of which it is, or is a part of, the subject or predicate and that refers to an expressed or implied element of the principal clause (the antecedent), as the relative pronoun who in He's the man who saw you or the relative adverb where in This is the house where she was born.
noting or pertaining to a relative clause.
Idioms about relative
it’s all relative. See entry at it's all relative.
Origin of relative
1Other words from relative
- non·rel·a·tive, noun, adjective
- non·rel·a·tive·ly, adverb
- non·rel·a·tive·ness, noun
- un·rel·a·tive, adjective
- un·rel·a·tive·ly, adverb
Words Nearby relative
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use relative in a sentence
It’s not uncommon for a cheaper goalie — relative both to his backup and the rest of the league — to catch fire in the playoffs.
An Expensive Goalie Is Not Your Ticket To The Stanley Cup | Julian McKenzie | September 9, 2020 | FiveThirtyEightAntetokounmpo currently leads the playoffs in total defensive rebounds and overall rebounds, so his lack of minutes relative to other stars has not hampered his total production on defense, either.
When winds were strongly blowing from the south, and there was less sea ice, the relative amount of oxygen-18 increased.
Bering Sea winter ice shrank to its lowest level in 5,500 years in 2018 | Carolyn Gramling | September 3, 2020 | Science NewsAs aerosol pollution from vehicles has declined, the relative contribution from other sources has grown.
If anything, the crampers started a little bit slower relative to their lab-measured fitness.
But relative to centuries past, America is a marvel of domestic tranquility.
Parents who want to transfer custody of a child to someone other than a relative must seek permission from a judge.
While traveling this holiday season, a relative and I were pulled over by a police officer.
Of course, this is The Comeback, and so "success" is a relative word.
‘The Comeback’ Finale: Give Lisa Kudrow All of the Awards | Kevin Fallon | December 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTHer son peeked out the window and told me his mother had left Havana for La Lisa to visit a dying relative.
The Life and Hard Times Of The Family A Cuban Defector Left Behind | Brin-Jonathan Butler | December 19, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTBut I suppose, as he is my nearest relative, it is but natural he should be anxious about my health.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3) | Charles James WillsThis had been quite genuine, for the Professor had been fond of his relative, who had always been very good to him.
Uncanny Tales | VariousThe relative quantity of labor embodied in each object is the basis of its value.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice | Stephen LeacockIt is evident that an absolute increase of any variety may be accompanied by a relative decrease.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis | James Campbell ToddAn increase in actual number is an absolute increase; an increase in percentage only, a relative increase.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis | James Campbell Todd
British Dictionary definitions for relative
/ (ˈrɛlətɪv) /
having meaning or significance only in relation to something else; not absolute: a relative value
(prenominal) (of a scientific quantity) being measured or stated relative to some other substance or measurement: relative humidity; relative density Compare absolute (def. 10)
(prenominal) comparative or respective: the relative qualities of speed and accuracy
(postpositive foll by to) in proportion (to); corresponding (to): earnings relative to production
having reference (to); pertinent (to): matters not relative to the topic under discussion
grammar denoting or belonging to a class of words that function as subordinating conjunctions in introducing relative clauses. In English, relative pronouns and determiners include who, which, and that: Compare demonstrative (def. 5), interrogative (def. 3)
grammar denoting or relating to a clause (relative clause) that modifies a noun or pronoun occurring earlier in the sentence
(of a musical key or scale) having the same key signature as another key or scale: C major is the relative major of A minor
a person who is related by blood or marriage; relation
a relative pronoun, clause, or grammatical construction
Origin of relative
1Derived forms of relative
- relativeness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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