comparative

1 of 2

adjective

com·​par·​a·​tive kəm-ˈper-ə-tiv How to pronounce comparative (audio)
-ˈpa-rə-
1
: of, relating to, or constituting the degree of comparison in a language that denotes increase in the quality, quantity, or relation expressed by an adjective or adverb
The comparative form of happy is happier.
The comparative form of clearly is more clearly.
2
: considered as if in comparison to something else as a standard not quite attained : relative
a comparative stranger
She's a comparative newcomer to the company.
3
: characterized by systematic comparison especially of likenesses and dissimilarities
comparative anatomy
a comparative analysis of the roles of women in different cultures
comparatively adverb
comparativeness noun

comparative

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: one that compares with another especially on equal footing : rival
b
: one that makes witty or mocking comparisons
2
: the comparative degree or form in a language
The comparative of tall is taller.

Examples of comparative in a Sentence

Adjective She did a comparative study of classical and modern art. I'm taking a class in comparative anatomy. a comparative analysis of the roles of women in different cultures The comparative form of “happy” is “happier”; the comparative form of “good” is “better”; the comparative form of “clearly” is “more clearly.” Noun “Taller” is the comparative of “tall.”
Recent Examples on the Web
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Adjective
Two more comparative laptops hail from the consumer side of the aisle: The Acer Swift 14 AI AMD provides an alternative to Intel, while the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition provides a larger 15.3-inch display. PCMAG, 25 Mar. 2025 It was initially kept in the university’s comparative anatomy collection before being transferred to its human culture collection in the early 2000s. Lianne Kolirin, CNN, 19 Mar. 2025
Noun
For the most part, the show is composed of zany humor bleeding into comic songs with witty internal rhymes (the songs of Tim Minchin are a helpful comparative). Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025 For the most part, the show is composed of zany humor that bleeds into comic songs with witty internal rhymes (the songs of Tim Minchin are a helpful comparative). Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 21 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for comparative

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

see compare entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of comparative was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Comparative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comparative. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

comparative

1 of 2 adjective
com·​par·​a·​tive kəm-ˈpar-ət-iv How to pronounce comparative (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or constituting the degree of grammatical comparison that denotes increase in the quality, quantity, or relation expressed by an adjective or adverb
2
: measured by comparison : relative
a comparative stranger
3
: involving the study of things that are alike by comparing them
comparative anatomy
comparatively adverb

comparative

2 of 2 noun
: the comparative degree or a word form expressing it
"taller" is the comparative of "tall"

Medical Definition

comparative

adjective
com·​par·​a·​tive kəm-ˈpar-ət-iv How to pronounce comparative (audio)
: characterized by the systematic comparison of phenomena and especially of likenesses and dissimilarities
comparative anatomy
the study of blood types by comparative analysis

Legal Definition

comparative

adjective
com·​par·​a·​tive kəm-ˈpar-ə-tiv How to pronounce comparative (audio)
: characterized by systematic comparison
comparative contribution, which apportions according to…respective faultW. L. Prosser and W. P. Keeton
comparatively adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on comparative

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