Comparative Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

Britannica Dictionary definition of COMPARATIVE

always used before a noun

1

:

seeming to be something when compared with others

• She is a comparative [=_relative_] newcomer to the industry. [=she is not really a newcomer but is much more of a newcomer than many others]
• We dropped anchor in the comparative [=_relative_] safety of the harbor. [=the harbor was not completely safe but it was safer than the area outside the harbor]

2

:

involving the act of looking at the ways that things are alike or different

• She did a comparative study of classical and modern art.
• I'm taking a class in comparative anatomy/literature.
• a comparative analysis of the roles of women in different cultures

3

grammar

:

of or relating to the form of an adjective or adverb that is used to indicate more of a particular quality

• The comparative form of “happy” is “happier”; the comparative form of “good” is “better”; the comparative form of “clearly” is “more clearly.”

— compare superlative

Britannica Dictionary definition of COMPARATIVE

[count]

:

the comparative form of an adjective or adverb

:

the form of an adjective or adverb that is used to indicate more of a particular quality

• “Taller” is the comparative of “tall.”

— compare superlative