comprehensive

[kom-pri-hen-siv]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR comprehensive ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

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

Often comprehensives. Also called comprehensive examination. an examination of extensive coverage given to measure a student's general progress, proficiency in his or her 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.Compare visual(def 7).

Origin of comprehensive

From the Late Latin word comprehēnsīvus, dating back to 1605–15. See comprehension, -ive

Related formscom·pre·hen·sive·ly, adverbcom·pre·hen·sive·ness, nounnon·com·pre·hen·sive, adjectivenon·com·pre·hen·sive·ly, adverbnon·com·pre·hen·sive·ness, nounpre·com·pre·hen·sive, adjectivepre·com·pre·hen·sive·ly, adverbpre·com·pre·hen·sive·ness, nounqua·si-com·pre·hen·sive, adjectivequa·si-com·pre·hen·sive·ly, adverbun·com·pre·hen·sive, adjectiveun·com·pre·hen·sive·ly, adverbun·com·pre·hen·sive·ness, noun

Can be confusedcomprehensible comprehensive

Synonyms for comprehensive

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR comprehensive ON THESAURUS.COM

1. broad, wide, extensive, full.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for comprehensive

full, complete, broad, global, overall, thorough, far-reaching, all-inclusive, encyclopedic, sweeping, extensive, exhaustive, catholic, umbrella, blanket, general, infinite, whole, absolute, compendious

Examples from the Web for comprehensive

Contemporary Examples of comprehensive

What qualifies as vast enough, as comprehensive enough, as representative enough to faithfully render a city and its people?
A History of Paris in 150 Photographs
Sarah Moroz
December 14, 2014
Therefore, reforming this trade is part of a comprehensive strategy, including regional governance reforms, to help end the war.
Aaron Rodgers Takes Aim at Congo’s ‘Blood Minerals’ War
John Prendergast
December 3, 2014
The evolution of style is oft studied but rarely understood in any comprehensive manner.
100 Years of Beauty Styles in 1 Minute
Jack Holmes, The Daily Beast Video
December 3, 2014
A comprehensive rehabilitation approach takes into account all these factors.
Understanding Tracy Morgan’s Traumatic Brain Injury
Jean Kim
November 20, 2014
In both conflicts, the long-term solution lies in a comprehensive response to the growing threat.
Yemen’s a Model All Right—For Disaster
Michael Shank , Casey Harrity
November 14, 2014

Historical Examples of comprehensive

Mr. Gladstone took broad and comprehensive views of the question.
The Grand Old Man
Richard B. Cook
He nodded again, with a comprehensive survey of the reeking floor.
The Fortune Hunter
Louis Joseph Vance
That was comprehensive enough; the details were quite certain to occur.
The Gentleman From Indiana
Booth Tarkington
And "nothing" is more nearly a comprehensive answer than at first you might believe.
The Forest
Stewart Edward White
Almost as comprehensive a cure as some of our modern universal specifics!
Storyology
Benjamin Taylor

British Dictionary definitions for comprehensive

comprehensive

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

short for comprehensive school

Derived Formscomprehensively, adverbcomprehensiveness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for comprehensive

adj.

"containing much," 1610s, from French comprehénsif, from Late Latin comprehensivus, from comprehens-, past participle stem of Latin comprehendere (see comprehend). Related: Comprehensively (mid-15c.); comprehensiveness.