comparable

[ kom-per-uh-buhlor, sometimes, kuhm-pair- ]

adjective

1. capable of being compared; having features in common with something else to permit or suggest comparison:

   He considered the Roman and British empires to be comparable.

   Synonyms: similar, equivalent, equal, like

2. worthy of comparison:

   shops comparable to those on Fifth Avenue.

3. usable for comparison; similar:

   We have no comparable data on Russian farming.

comparable

/ ˈkɒmpərəbəl /

adjective

1. worthy of comparison
2. able to be compared (with)

Derived Forms

• ˌcomparaˈbility, noun
• ˈcomparably, adverb

Other Words From

• com·pa·ra·bil·i·ty [kom-per-, uh, -, bil, -i-tee], com·pa·ra·ble·ness noun
• com·pa·ra·bly adverb
• in·ter·com·pa·ra·ble adjective
• un·com·pa·ra·ble adjective
• un·com·pa·ra·ble·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of comparable¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin comparābilis, equivalent to comparā(re) “to compare ” + -bilis -ble

Example Sentences

The increase was driven by new restaurant openings and an overall increase in comparable restaurant sales, the company specified.

From Salon

"Those are not comparable situations."

From BBC

After all, the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George is not comparable to more familiar fraternal societies like the Knights of Columbus, or Catholic lay orders like the Knights of Malta.

From Slate

Meanwhile, Charter Amendment LL would create a comparable process for all the territory within the Los Angeles Unified School District, which stretches well beyond the borders of the city of L.A.

From Los Angeles Times

"We're not creating a retail model here that is at all comparable to cannabis legalization."

From Salon

Related Words

• akin
• analogous
• corresponding
• related