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.

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

• comparatively adverb
• comparativeness noun

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”; compare, -ate ¹ ) + -īvus -ive

Example Sentences

An ideological move away from globalization by some countries and the encouragement of reshoring that denudes comparative advantage benefits may also lift prices.

From MarketWatch

The company said this would be driven, among other items, by actions taken in North America and continental Europe to improve performance, as well as easier comparatives in continental Europe.

From The Wall Street Journal

Countries watched their neighbors and competitors negotiate deals with the U.S. and rushed to the deal table to prevent being put at a comparative disadvantage.

From Barron's

To investigate this question, scientists from UNIGE's Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences used a comparative approach grounded in species evolution.

From Science Daily

To do so, Dr. Griffin assembled a team to create a broad comparative dataset of hyoid samples from living lizards, crocodiles, birds, and extinct dinosaurs.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• provisional