comparative

[ kuhm-par-uh-tiv ]

adjective

1. of or relating to comparison.
2. proceeding by, founded on, or using comparison as a method of study:

   comparative anatomy.

3. estimated by comparison; not positive or absolute; relative:

   a comparative newcomer in politics;

   to live in comparative luxury.

4. Grammar. being, noting, or pertaining to the intermediate degree of the comparison of adjectives, as better and more beautiful, the comparative forms of good and beautiful, and of adverbs, as nearer and more carefully, the comparative forms of near and carefully. Compare positive ( def 21 ), superlative ( def 2 ).

noun

, Grammar.

1. the comparative degree.
2. a form in the comparative.

comparative

/ kəmˈpærətɪv /

adjective

1. denoting or involving comparison

   comparative literature

2. judged by comparison; relative

   a comparative loss of prestige

3. grammar denoting the form of an adjective that indicates that the quality denoted is possessed to a greater extent. In English the comparative form of an adjective is usually marked by the suffix -er or the word more Compare positive superlative

noun

1. the comparative form of an adjective

comparative

1. A form of an adjective indicating a greater degree of the quality that the adjective describes. Better is the comparative form of good ; faster is the comparative form of fast ; bluer is the comparative form of blue ; more charming is the comparative form of charming . ( Compare superlative .)

Derived Forms

• comˈparatively, adverb
• comˈparativeness, noun

Other Words From

• com·par·a·tive·ly adverb
• com·par·a·tive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of comparative¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin comparātīvus, equivalent to comparāt(us) (past participle of comparāre “to place together, match”; compare, -ate ¹ ) + -īvus -ive

Example Sentences

Her teaching and scholarship have focused on comparative ethnic politics and conflict, democratization, and retrospective justice.

From MIT Technology Review

One of the new study’s authors, he is a comparative physiologist.

From Science News For Students

To find out, comparative psychologist Jim McGetrick and colleagues at the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna trained pet dogs how to use a button to get food from a nearby dispenser.

From Science News

That tiny froghoppers and other insects feed on xylem sap has stoked skepticism about these measurements, says Philip Matthews, a comparative physiologist at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.

From Science News

The new scholarship on comparative polarization is crucial in understanding this dynamic.

From FiveThirtyEight

This full-circle comparative literature process is well represented in modern war writing and recent Arabic fiction.

From The Daily Beast

A third way to counter the negative stereotypes is to provide a bit of comparative historical context.

From The Daily Beast

As a comparative study, it highlights the distinctively brutal features of American slavery.

From The Daily Beast

Under the old system, only a comparative handful of members had any power.

From The Daily Beast

As a comparative anatomist, MacLean viewed animal behaviors as evolutionary adaptations of the brain.

From The Daily Beast

It is impossible to form a just estimate of the Bible without some knowledge of ancient history and comparative mythology.

From Project Gutenberg

The doctor, informed of her comparative happiness, again shrugged his shoulders.

From Project Gutenberg

To many causes may the comparative smallness of success that has attended these be attributed.

From Project Gutenberg

"Madame tells me that he is dead," said she, and Garnache was shocked at the comparative calmness with which she said it.

From Project Gutenberg

At Sorbonne a chair of comparative legislation was created for him.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• provisional