comprehensive

[ kom-pri-hen-siv ]

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.

noun

1. none comprehensives. Also called comprehensive examination. Informal, 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. Compare visual ( def 7 ).

comprehensive

/ 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

noun

1. short for comprehensive school

Derived Forms

• ˌcompreˈhensively, adverb
• ˌcompreˈhensiveness, noun

Other Words From

• compre·hensive·ly adverb
• compre·hensive·ness noun
• noncom·pre·hensive adjective
• noncom·pre·hensive·ly adverb
• noncom·pre·hensive·ness noun
• precom·pre·hensive adjective
• precom·pre·hensive·ly adverb
• precom·pre·hensive·ness noun
• quasi-compre·hensive adjective
• quasi-compre·hensive·ly adverb
• uncom·pre·hensive adjective
• uncom·pre·hensive·ly adverb
• uncom·pre·hensive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of comprehensive¹

First recorded in 1605–15; from Late Latin comprehēnsīvus; comprehension, -ive

Example Sentences

Wales host the Springboks on the back of a comprehensive defeat against Australia and a first home loss to Fiji.

From BBC

Their work marks a major milestone, as the device is the first wearable ultrasound blood pressure sensor to undergo rigorous and comprehensive clinical validation on over 100 patients.

From Science Daily

"It was particularly impressive to me because I've worked at Crystal River, which is an epicenter for manatees. We became more curious and decided to do a comprehensive review of archaeological and archival sources."

From Science Daily

The study builds upon Navin's previous work on the Human Breast Cell Atlas, which profiled over 714,000 cells to generate a comprehensive genetic map of normal breast tissue at the cellular level.

From Science Daily

“In the U.S. because we don’t have a comprehensive federal privacy law ... it falls to the state level,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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