comprehensive
Americanadjective
-
of large scope; covering or involving much; inclusive.
a comprehensive study of world affairs.
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comprehending or thoroughly understanding with one's mind; having an extensive mental range or grasp, as of a particular subject or many subjects.
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Insurance. covering or providing broad protection against loss.
noun
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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.
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the detailed layout of an advertisement, showing placement of photographs, illustrations, copy, etc., as for presentation to a client.
adjective
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of broad scope or content; including all or much
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(of a car insurance policy) providing protection against most risks, including third-party liability, fire, theft, and damage
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having the ability to understand
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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
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.
"Since February 2025, we have worked to address the issues highlighted in the internal investigation and will implement the recommendations of the QAA review through a comprehensive plan that builds on current change projects."
From BBC
Even comprehensive tax structure reforms would not eliminate revenue volatility given California’s role in the national economy.
From Los Angeles Times
She added: "We will respond strictly within the bounds of the law, making a comprehensive judgment based on the circumstances."
From Barron's
He said the 1,800-strong comprehensive and "whole community just got behind me and it's been the best experience I've ever had in my life".
From BBC
Such scenarios are common throughout the world, largely because contemporary conceptions of antisemitism are shaped by mandated Holocaust education rather than comprehensive teaching on Jew-hatred in all its forms.
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.
