comprehensive
Americanadjective
-
of large scope; covering or involving much; inclusive.
a comprehensive study of world affairs.
-
comprehending or thoroughly understanding with one's mind; having an extensive mental range or grasp, as of a particular subject or many subjects.
-
Insurance. covering or providing broad protection against loss.
noun
-
comprehensives
plural
-
Also called comprehensive examination. Informal, none comprehensives. none comps an examination of extensive coverage given to measure a student's general progress, proficiency in their major field of study, or the like.
-
the detailed layout of an advertisement, showing placement of photographs, illustrations, copy, etc., as for presentation to a client.
adjective
-
of broad scope or content; including all or much
-
(of a car insurance policy) providing protection against most risks, including third-party liability, fire, theft, and damage
-
having the ability to understand
-
of, relating to, or being a comprehensive school
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
comprehensivenessnoun
-
noncomprehensivenessnoun
-
precomprehensivenessnoun
-
uncomprehensivenessnoun
-
noncomprehensiveadjective
-
precomprehensiveadjective
-
quasi-comprehensiveadjective
-
uncomprehensiveadjective
-
comprehensivelyadverb
-
noncomprehensivelyadverb
-
precomprehensivelyadverb
-
quasi-comprehensivelyadverb
-
uncomprehensivelyadverb
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of comprehensive
First recorded in 1605–15; from Late Latin comprehēnsīvus; see comprehension, -ive
Explanation
When you want to describe something that includes all or most details, you can use the adjective comprehensive. If you get the comprehensive treatment at a spa, it might include a massage, a manicure and a facial. Comprehensive is from Latin comprehensivus, from comprehensus, the source of English comprehend. In business, comprehensive insurance is insurance that covers a broad range, offering protection against most risks of a certain type. It applies mainly to car insurance.
Vocabulary lists containing comprehensive
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Grade 9, List 1
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Jane Eyre
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
They scored seven tries before the break and 13 in total on their way to a comprehensive 70-6 victory in Perth in their Group A opener.
From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2026
Japanese businesses have urged the government to come up with a comprehensive policy to support foreign residents.
From Barron's ● Oct. 17, 2026
“ETS maintains a comprehensive information security program that is regularly assessed by third parties,” said Christine Betaneli.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2026
This comprehensive research never weighs down his account with tangents or trivia.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
I wish someone would write a good, comprehensive book of home dog medicine.
From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck
Look, CSU and all regional comprehensives in this country have a budget problem.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2023
From BASIS’s first year in 1996-1997, students who failed the comprehensives had to retake them.
From Washington Post ● Dec. 28, 2019
The critics had the better of the argument in the 1960s and 70s, when most grammar schools were converted to non-selective comprehensives.
From Economist ● Aug. 13, 2015
Toby had gone to Creighton, one of the most experimental comprehensives in the country.
From BBC ● Oct. 20, 2014
They divorced in 1967, and she taught English at a succession of inner London comprehensives.
From The Guardian ● Jul. 5, 2013
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
