comprehensive

[kom-pri-hen-siv]

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 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.

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

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

3. having the ability to understand

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

noun

1. short for comprehensive school

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of comprehensive¹

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

Example Sentences

Using samples from Roscoff and a second collection in Bilbao, Spain, the team conducted one of the most comprehensive studies ever of the cytoskeleton -- the filament network that supports and organizes eukaryotic cells.

Read more on Science Daily

Shein is also "conducting a comprehensive review to identify and remove any similar items that may be listed on our marketplace by other third-party vendors".

Read more on BBC

The ministry said it also maintains a comprehensive ban on the import, sale, distribution, possession, and use of electronic cigarettes and vaping products, applicable to all individuals regardless of age.

Read more on Barron's

The statement added that ICE provides "comprehensive medical care from the moment an alien enters ICE custody", and that "meals are certified by dieticians".

Read more on BBC

Irvine deployed five robots, beginning in late August, to conduct a comprehensive assessment of its public infrastructure.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• all-inclusive 
• broad 
• complete 
• encyclopedic 
• exhaustive 
• extensive 
• far-reaching 
• full 
• global 
• overall 
• sweeping 
• thorough