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Synonyms

comprehensive

American  
[kom-pri-hen-siv] / ˌkɒm prɪˈhɛn sɪv /

adjective

  1. of large scope; covering or involving much; inclusive.

    a comprehensive study of world affairs.

    Synonyms:
    full, extensive, wide, broad
  2. comprehending or thoroughly understanding with one's mind; having an extensive mental range or grasp, as of a particular subject or many subjects.

  3. Insurance. covering or providing broad protection against loss.


noun

  1. Also called comprehensive examinationInformal, 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.

  2. the detailed layout of an advertisement, showing placement of photographs, illustrations, copy, etc., as for presentation to a client.

comprehensive British  
/ ˌkɒmprɪˈhɛnsɪv /

adjective

  1. of broad scope or content; including all or much

  2. (of a car insurance policy) providing protection against most risks, including third-party liability, fire, theft, and damage

  3. having the ability to understand

  4. of, relating to, or being a comprehensive school

"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

noun

  1. short for comprehensive school

"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

Other Word Forms

  • comprehensively adverb
  • comprehensiveness noun
  • noncomprehensive adjective
  • noncomprehensively adverb
  • noncomprehensiveness noun
  • precomprehensive adjective
  • precomprehensively adverb
  • precomprehensiveness noun
  • quasi-comprehensive adjective
  • quasi-comprehensively adverb
  • uncomprehensive adjective
  • uncomprehensively adverb
  • uncomprehensiveness noun

Etymology

Origin of comprehensive

First recorded in 1605–15; from Late Latin comprehēnsīvus; comprehension, -ive

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.

"It really is a very detailed blueprint," said Eugene Kiley, who wrote a comprehensive rundown on Project 2025 for the nonpartisan website Factcheck.org.

From BBC

A more comprehensive option is Life360, the location-sharing app popularized by parents who want to keep tabs on their teen drivers.

From The Wall Street Journal

Nonetheless, President Lincoln decided to pragmatically sidestep the legal contradictions and agreed in the summer of 1862 to a comprehensive prisoner cartel.

From The Wall Street Journal

The BLS undertakes an annual benchmark revision of jobs data to align payroll survey data with more comprehensive administrative records.

From Barron's

However, a comprehensive victory over the United States on Wednesday - coupled with favourable results elsewhere - revived their hopes.

From BBC