comprehensive

American  

[kom-pri-hen-siv] / ˌkɒm prɪˈhɛn sɪv /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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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

Etymology

Origin of comprehensive

First recorded in 1605–15; from Late Latin comprehēnsīvus; see 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.

Example Sentences

"We have offset soaring material costs and comprehensive investments for future growth through efforts such as cost-reduction in depreciation, enhanced profitability across the value chain, and improvements in the model and volume mix," Miyazaki said.

From Barron's • May 8, 2026

The BLS report is more comprehensive and, unlike ADP, it includes government workers.

From MarketWatch • May 6, 2026

"The FAI followed a thorough and comprehensive investigation by the procurator fiscal who ensured that the full facts and circumstances of Archie's death were presented in evidence."

From BBC • May 5, 2026

These platforms operate as federally regulated exchanges with clearinghouses and comprehensive investor protections, identical to those found in other derivatives markets.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

For a comprehensive audiovisual overview of jazz, try Ken Burns' PBS documentary.

From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones

Related Words

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