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

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

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

Using phylogenetic comparative methods, the researchers estimated how frequently eusociality evolved among insects with different genetic systems.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 15, 2026

A comparative literature professor at Stanford University, his forthcoming book, “What Tech Calls Governing,” examines the increasingly authoritarian politics of Silicon Valley.

From Salon ● Aug. 14, 2026

Instead, the Kochs write, the company established five categories—vision, virtue and talents, knowledge, comparative advantage, and motivation—to help “employees better understand how the principles fit together and how to apply them in their work.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 12, 2026

Fernando Alonso, age 44, is consistently out-performing his younger team-mate and probably given a comparative car would also win a race.

From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026

It is a great mistake to assume...that there is a conflict in interest between different classes of citizens—certainly if comparative wealth is the basis of the classification.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson

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 ● Dec. 17, 2025

British online fashion retailer Boohoo said revenue fell 11% in its key Christmas trading period, hurt by delivery disruption and tough comparatives, as it broadly stuck to annual guidance.

From Reuters ● Jan. 19, 2023

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 Incorrigibles had been studying comparatives and superlatives.

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

• provisional