comparative
[ kuh m-par-uh-tiv ]
/ kəmˈpær ə tɪv /
adjective
of or relating to comparison.
proceeding by, founded on, or using comparison as a method of study: comparative anatomy.
estimated by comparison; not positive or absolute; relative: a comparative newcomer in politics; to live in comparative luxury.
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.
the comparative degree.
a form in the comparative.
Origin of comparative
OTHER WORDS FROM comparative
com·par·a·tive·ly, adverb com·par·a·tive·ness, nounWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH comparative
comparable comparativeWords nearby comparative
Example sentences from the Web for comparatively
British Dictionary definitions for comparatively
comparative
/ (kəmˈpærətɪv) /
adjective
denoting or involving comparison
comparative literature
judged by comparison; relative
a comparative loss of prestige
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 (def. 10), superlative (def. 2)
noun
the comparative form of an adjective
Derived forms of comparative
comparatively, adverb comparativeness, nounCultural definitions for comparatively
comparative
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.)