comprehensive
Americanadjective
-
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
-
Also called comprehensive examination. Informal, 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.
-
the detailed layout of an advertisement, showing placement of photographs, illustrations, copy, etc., as for presentation to a client.
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
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
Explanation
When you want to describe something that includes all or most details, you can use the adjective comprehensive. If you get the comprehensive treatment at a spa, it might include a massage, a manicure and a facial. Comprehensive is from Latin comprehensivus, from comprehensus, the source of English comprehend. In business, comprehensive insurance is insurance that covers a broad range, offering protection against most risks of a certain type. It applies mainly to car insurance.
Vocabulary lists containing comprehensive
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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Grade 9, List 1
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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.
I am trained to be informative and comprehensive, and sometimes that can come across as very human-like.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026
"With this comprehensive picture, we are finally able to reconcile many previously conflicting observations about lead-halide perovskites, resolving a long-standing debate about the source of their superior energy-harvesting efficiency," says Rak.
From Science Daily • Apr. 10, 2026
MacAlister said the case for a formal apology was "being actively considered" by the government, adding the need for a "comprehensive" apology was "urgent".
From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026
A new comprehensive survey this week by the research group Focaldata digs deep into the attitudes of thousands of voters likely to take part in the Democratic primaries.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026
I wish someone would write a good, comprehensive book of home dog medicine.
From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
