This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
conservative
[ kuhn-sur-vuh-tiv ]
/ kənˈsɜr və tɪv /
Save This Word!
This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
adjective
noun
QUIZ
ALL IN FAVO(U)R OF THIS BRITISH VS. AMERICAN ENGLISH QUIZ
There's an ocean of difference between the way people speak English in the US vs. the UK. Are your language skills up to the task of telling the difference? Let's find out!
Question 1 of 7
True or false? British English and American English are only different when it comes to slang words.
Origin of conservative
1350–1400; <Late Latin conservātīvus, equivalent to Latin conservāt(us) (see conservation) + -īvus-ive; replacing Middle English conservatif < Middle French <Latin, as above
OTHER WORDS FROM conservative
Words nearby conservative
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use conservative in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for conservative (1 of 2)
conservative
/ (kənˈsɜːvətɪv) /
adjective
noun
a person who is reluctant to change or consider new ideas; conformist
a supporter or advocate of conservatism
adjective, noun
a less common word for preservative
Derived forms of conservative
conservatively, adverbconservativeness, nounBritish Dictionary definitions for conservative (2 of 2)
Conservative
/ (kənˈsɜːvətɪv) /
adjective (in Britain, Canada, and elsewhere)
of, supporting, or relating to a Conservative Party
of, relating to, or characterizing Conservative Judaism
noun
a supporter or member of a Conservative Party
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
Cultural definitions for conservative
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.