What does "comparative" mean?

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).

How do you pronounce "comparative"?

Pronounced //kəmˈpæɹ.ə.tɪv//.

Comparative

Q: What is a synonym for "comparative"?

Common synonyms include: comparative degree, relative, affinitive, analogical, analogous, appertaining.

//kəmˈpæɹ.ə.tɪv// adj, noun

adj, noun ·Moderate ·High school level

Definitions

Noun

1
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).
2
the comparative form of an adjective or adverb wordnet
3
An adjective or adverb in the comparative degree.
4
Data used to make a comparison. in-plural
"Investment ratios are positive. Comparative or trend data are required to draw final conclusions. The absence of comparatives and trend data constrains the conclusions."
5
An equal; a rival; a compeer. obsolete
"Gerrard ever was / His full comparative."

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6
One who makes comparisons; one who affects wit. obsolete
"Every beardless vain comparative."

Adjective

1
Of or relating to comparison.
"He gave us a comparative example to illustrate how the human mind works."
2
Using comparison as a method of study, or founded on something using it.
"A comparative study between Homo Sapiens and Homo neanderthalensis."
3
Approximated by comparison; relative.
"The Olympics, the weather and a comparative lack of heavyweight clashes so far this season have been cited as reasons for the drop in viewers."
4
Comparable; bearing comparison. obsolete
"And need he had of slumber yet, for none / Had suffered more—his hardships were comparative / To those related in my grand-dad's Narrative."

Adjective

1
estimated by comparison; not absolute or complete wordnet
2
relating to or based on or involving comparison wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms

comparative degree relative affinitive analogical analogous appertaining

Antonyms

All antonyms

immaterial

Example

More examples

"Once divorced from key questions of national culture and identity, comparative literature loses its way."

Etymology

From Middle English comparatif, from Middle French comparatif, from Latin comparātīvus, equivalent to comparātus, from comparāre (“to compare”) + -ive, from Latin -īvus.

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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.