comprehensive

[ kom-pri-hen-siv ]
See synonyms for: comprehensivecomprehensivelycomprehensiveness on Thesaurus.com

adjective
  1. of large scope; covering or involving much; inclusive: a comprehensive study of world affairs.

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

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

noun
  1. comprehensives. Also called comprehensive examination. Informal,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.: Compare visual (def. 7).

Origin of comprehensive

1
First recorded in 1605–15; from Late Latin comprehēnsīvus; see comprehension, -ive

Other words for comprehensive

Other words from comprehensive

  • com·pre·hen·sive·ly, adverb
  • com·pre·hen·sive·ness, noun
  • non·com·pre·hen·sive, adjective
  • non·com·pre·hen·sive·ly, adverb
  • non·com·pre·hen·sive·ness, noun
  • pre·com·pre·hen·sive, adjective
  • pre·com·pre·hen·sive·ly, adverb
  • pre·com·pre·hen·sive·ness, noun
  • qua·si-com·pre·hen·sive, adjective
  • qua·si-com·pre·hen·sive·ly, adverb
  • un·com·pre·hen·sive, adjective
  • un·com·pre·hen·sive·ly, adverb
  • un·com·pre·hen·sive·ness, noun

Words that may be confused with comprehensive

Words Nearby comprehensive

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use comprehensive in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for comprehensive

comprehensive

/ (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

  1. having the ability to understand

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

noun

Derived forms of comprehensive

  • comprehensively, adverb
  • comprehensiveness, 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