comparative

American  

[kuhm-par-uh-tiv] / kəmˈpær ə tɪv /

adjective

1. of or relating 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.

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noun

Grammar.

• comparatives
  plural

1. the comparative degree.

2. a form in the comparative.

comparative British  

/ kəmˈpærətɪv /

adjective

1. denoting or involving comparison

   comparative literature

2. judged by comparison; relative

   a comparative loss of prestige

3. grammar 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 Compare positive superlative

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noun

1. the comparative form of an adjective

comparative Cultural  

1. 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.)

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• comparativeness
  noun
• comparatively
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• comparatives
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of comparative

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin comparātīvus, equivalent to comparāt(us) (past participle of comparāre “to place together, match”; see compare, -ate ¹) + -īvus -ive

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Explanation

The word comparative deals, naturally, with comparisons, looking at characteristics of two or more things. For example, you might study a course such as comparative literature, which examines works from two or more cultures or languages. Coming from the Latin verb comparāre, "to compare," comparative worked its way into Late Middle English as an adjectival form indicating comparison. In the comparative form, the adjective either ends in "-er" (my hands are smaller than yours are) or uses the word "more" before it (you are more qualified than the other applicants are). The word also can offer an estimate rather than an absolute. You might be a comparative beginner in cooking class, but your ham still won the prize.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

comparative comparatives

Once Sisley was five years or seven years old, and you were locked and loaded, what did you see as your comparative advantage?

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 18, 2026

Much of that work took place in the laboratory of Albee Messing, professor emeritus of comparative biosciences and former director of the Waisman Center, whose discoveries helped make the treatment possible.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 13, 2026

But as rock grew and changed as a genre, it became “torturing” to Cohn’s ears, with bands competing in terms of their comparative loudness and audacity.

From Salon ● Oct. 8, 2026

This fixes the Greenland-Africa size issue, allowing those who use it to get a sense of the comparative size of different landmasses, all while preserving straight lines of longitude and latitude.

From BBC ● Sep. 5, 2026

Professor Joseph Hickey and his students at the University of Wisconsin, after careful comparative studies of sprayed and unsprayed areas, reported the robin mortality to be at least 86 to 88 per cent.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

CIBC’s Kevin Chiang notes the 2025-26 year saw grain production reach 85 million metric tons, which created concern that it would create difficult comparatives for this year.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026

In a sport built on comparatives — faster, longer, more, more, more — his 100-mile trail race portfolio is formidable: He has won 38 of them, more than anyone else in the world.

From New York Times ● Sep. 18, 2016

This is a role that risks a dizzyingly intimidating collection of comparatives on the vocal and comedic fronts.

From Chicago Tribune ● Dec. 28, 2010

"The outlook for the year should improve as Tullett is actively replacing the brokers who left last year, and the comparatives with the second half of 2009 are likely to be more favorable," they said.

From Reuters ● May 13, 2010

If you ponder that for a moment, you will know all you need to know about comparatives and superlatives.

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood

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Related Words

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