HOW TO PRONOUNCE
comparative
/kəmˈpɛɹətɪv/
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American Pronunciation Guide · 1:03
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What does comparative mean?
adjective
- Of or relating to comparison.
- Using comparison as a method of study, or founded on something using it.
- Approximated by comparison; relative.
More meanings (6)
noun
- The degree of comparison of an adjective or adverb used when comparing two entities in terms of a certain property or a certain way of doing something. In English, the comparative of superiority is formed by adding the suffix -er or the word more (e.g. bigger, more fully); the comparative of equality, by adding the word as (e.g. as big, as fully); the comparative of inferiority, by adding the word less (e.g. less big, less fully).
- An adjective or adverb in the comparative degree.
- Data used to make a comparison.
- (obsolete) An equal; a rival; a compeer.
- (obsolete) One who makes comparisons; one who affects wit.
adjective
- (obsolete) Comparable; bearing comparison.
Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0
IPA pronunciation
/kəmˈpɛɹətɪv/
CMU Pronouncing Dictionary ↗Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.
In the pages of books
See this word in context.
Our legislators have not yet learned the comparative value of free-trade and of freedom, of union, and of rectitude, to a nation.
He explained to me that the comparative safety of Moreau and himself was due to the limited mental scope of these monsters.
More book examples (3)
The comparative immunity of Paris from air raids is due partly to the prompt measures which were taken to defend the capital.
The lion's customary harmlessness in the daytime is best evidenced, however, by the comparative indifference of the game to his presence then.
As the creator of the sciences of comparative anatomy, systematic zoology, embryology, teratology, botany and physiology, his writings have an eternal interest.