conservative

[ kuhn-sur-vuh-tiv ]

adjective

1. disposed to preserve existing conditions, institutions, etc., or to restore traditional ones, and to limit change.
2. cautiously moderate or purposefully low:

   a conservative estimate.

3. traditional in style or manner; avoiding novelty or showiness:

   conservative suit.

4. (often initial capital letter) of or relating to the Conservative party.
5. (initial capital letter) of, relating to, or characteristic of Conservative Jews or Conservative Judaism.
6. having the power or tendency to conserve or preserve.
7. Mathematics. (of a vector or vector function) having curl equal to zero; irrotational; lamellar.

noun

1. a person who is conservative in principles, actions, habits, etc.
2. a supporter of conservative political policies.
3. (initial capital letter) a member of a conservative political party, especially the Conservative party in Great Britain.
4. a preservative.

conservative

¹

/ kənˈsɜːvətɪv /

adjective

1. favouring the preservation of established customs, values, etc, and opposing innovation
2. of, characteristic of, or relating to conservatism
3. tending to be moderate or cautious

   a conservative estimate

4. conventional in style or type

   a conservative suit

5. med (of treatment) designed to alleviate symptoms Compare radical
6. physics a field of force, system, etc, in which the work done moving a body from one point to another is independent of the path taken between them

   electrostatic fields of force are conservative

noun

1. a person who is reluctant to change or consider new ideas; conformist
2. a supporter or advocate of conservatism

adjective

1. a less common word for preservative

Conservative

²

/ kənˈsɜːvətɪv /

adjective

1. of, supporting, or relating to a Conservative Party
2. of, relating to, or characterizing Conservative Judaism

noun

1. a supporter or member of a Conservative Party

conservative

1. A descriptive term for persons, policies, and beliefs associated with conservatism .

Derived Forms

• conˈservatively, adverb
• conˈservativeness, noun

Other Words From

• con·serva·tive·ly adverb
• con·serva·tive·ness noun
• anti·con·serva·tive adjective noun
• anti·con·serva·tive·ly adverb
• anti·con·serva·tive·ness noun
• half-con·serva·tive adjective
• half-con·serva·tive·ly adverb
• hyper·con·serva·tive adjective noun
• hyper·con·serva·tive·ly adverb
• hyper·con·serva·tive·ness noun
• noncon·serva·tive adjective noun
• over·con·serva·tive adjective
• over·con·serva·tive·ly adverb
• over·con·serva·tive·ness noun
• pseudo·con·serva·tive adjective
• pseudo·con·serva·tive·ly adverb
• quasi-con·serva·tive adjective
• quasi-con·serva·tive·ly adverb
• semi·con·serva·tive adjective
• semi·con·serva·tive·ly adverb
• super·con·serva·tive adjective
• super·con·serva·tive·ly adverb
• super·con·serva·tive·ness noun
• uncon·serva·tive adjective
• uncon·serva·tive·ly adverb
• uncon·serva·tive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of conservative¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Late Latin conservātīvus, equivalent to Latin conservāt(us) ( conservation ) + -īvus -ive; replacing Middle English conservatif, from Middle French, from Latin, as above

Example Sentences

In 2017 the Conservative government said it wanted to abolish leasehold on all new builds.

From BBC

Outlining a specific timetable for leasehold reform for the first time, Mr Pennycook said elements of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill, passed by the Conservative government earlier this year, would be implemented.

From BBC

For his part, Daltrey said in 2021 that he still supported Brexit, but wished the Conservative government at the time had "made the easing of restrictions for musicians and actors a higher priority".

From BBC

After Lau-Lavie makes a big decision that goes against his recent commitment to the Conservative movement, it becomes obvious that his restlessness has not abated, and his questing days may never be over.

From New York Times

He campaigned passionately against the Conservative policy of privatising Britain's railways and was reported to have been furious when Labour failed to adopt a policy of renationalisation when returned to power.

From BBC

Related Words

• right of center
• right-wing