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

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

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

Discipline prevailed: in five minutes the confused throng was resolved into order, and comparative silence quelled the Babel clamour of tongues.

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë

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

"For the last few years, we have been talking about our strong sales figures beating some tough comparatives - and this year is no exception," said chief executive Chris Moore.

From The Guardian ● Jan. 5, 2011

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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