comparatively

UK: /kəmˈpærətɪvli/

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

com•par•a•tive /kəmˈpærətɪv/   adj. 

1. using comparison as a method of study:
   [before a noun] comparative anatomy.
2. [before a noun] measured, judged, or estimated by comparison:
   He was a comparative stranger to the town.
3. Grammar of or naming a form of adjectives and adverbs used to show an increase in quality, quantity, or intensity:
   The words smaller, better, and more carefully are the comparative forms of small, good, and carefully.
   Compare positive (def. 22), superlative (def. 2).

n. [countable]

4. Grammar the comparative form of an adjective or adverb:
   The comparative of good is the word better.

com•par•a•tive•ly, adv.: 

This book is comparatively easy to read.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

com•par•a•tive  (kəm par′ə tiv), adj. 

1. of or pertaining 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. Cf. positive (def. 20), superlative (def. 2).

n. [Gram.]

5. Grammar the comparative degree.
6. Grammar a form in the comparative.

• Latin comparātīvus, equivalent. to comparāt(us) (past participle of comparāre to compare; see -ate¹) + -īvus -ive
• late Middle English 1400–50

com•par′a•tive•ly, adv. 
com•par′a•tive•ness, n.