comparative: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal/Academic
Quick answer
What does “comparative” mean?
Relating to or involving comparison between two or more things, or measured or judged in such a way.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Relating to or involving comparison between two or more things, or measured or judged in such a way.
Also a grammatical term for the form of an adjective or adverb (e.g., 'bigger', 'more quickly') expressing a higher degree of a quality; or, when describing an analysis or study, one that involves examining the similarities and differences between two or more things.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or use. Both use the same grammatical term and concept of 'relative' analysis.
Connotations
Neutral and technical in both varieties.
Frequency
Similar frequency in academic and formal contexts. Slightly more common in US English in corpora, likely due to higher volume of academic social science publishing.
Grammar
How to Use “comparative” in a Sentence
comparative + noun (e.g., a comparative analysis)comparative + adjective (e.g., comparative ease)the + comparative (e.g., of the two, hers is the comparative)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “comparative” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Not a standard verb form)
American English
- (Not a standard verb form)
adverb
British English
- (Rare as a standalone adverb; 'comparatively' is used.)
American English
- (Rare as a standalone adverb; 'comparatively' is used.)
adjective
British English
- They lived in comparative comfort after moving to the countryside.
- The study offers a comparative view of medieval trade routes.
American English
- The report provides a comparative analysis of healthcare costs.
- We enjoyed comparative peace and quiet at the lake house.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in strategy and economics: 'The company enjoys a comparative advantage in logistics.'
Academic
Core to many disciplines: 'The paper presents a comparative study of political systems.'
Everyday
Used to express a relative degree: 'After the storm, the morning was one of comparative calm.'
Technical
Specific grammatical term: 'In this sentence, 'faster' is the comparative form of the adjective 'fast'.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “comparative”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “comparative”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “comparative”
- Using 'comparative' to mean 'comparable' (e.g., 'This car is comparative to that one' is incorrect; use 'comparable'). Confusing 'comparative' (relative) with 'absolute'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Comparative' is an adjective describing something that involves comparison (e.g., a comparative study). 'Comparable' is an adjective meaning 'similar' or 'able to be compared' (e.g., Their salaries are comparable).
No. While it is a key term in academic fields like comparative literature or politics, it is also used in everyday language to describe a relative state (e.g., 'comparative ease', 'comparative wealth').
The noun form is also 'comparative' (e.g., 'In grammar, we are learning about the comparative and superlative.'). The process or act is 'comparison'.
Very rarely. The standard adverb is 'comparatively' (e.g., 'The task was comparatively simple'). Using 'comparative' as an adverb is generally considered non-standard.
Relating to or involving comparison between two or more things, or measured or judged in such a way.
Comparative is usually formal/academic in register.
Comparative: in British English it is pronounced /kəmˈpærətɪv/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəmˈperətɪv/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a comparative handful”
- “in comparative terms”
- “by comparative standards”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: COMPARE-ative. It's all about the action of COMPARing things.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE/UNDERSTANDING IS MEASUREMENT (e.g., 'measure one thing against another').
Practice
Quiz
In the phrase 'a comparative success', what does 'comparative' most closely mean?