ENGLISH
REFERENCE

comparable

adj. · n.
US //ˈkɑmpɝəbəɫ// UK //kˈɒmpəɹəbəl// com·pa·ra·ble
  1. 1 similar in quality or size (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    similar to something else in size, amount, or quality so that you can compare them fairly.

    similar in nature, quality, or amount; having enough shared characteristics to allow for a valid comparison.

    Example

    The quality of this cheaper phone is comparable to the expensive models.

    Example

    The economic growth seen in the last quarter is comparable to the boom years of the late nineties, suggesting a full recovery is underway.

    Usage

    often followed by the preposition 'to'
    Pitfall
    The two cars are comparable with each other.
    The two cars are comparable to each other.

    While 'with' is sometimes used, 'to' is the standard preposition when highlighting similarity.

  2. 2 able to be compared (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Academic

    possible to compare because the things are in the same category.

    capable of being compared; possessing a common basis for evaluation.

    Example

    We need to make sure the data sets are comparable before we start the analysis.

    Example

    The researchers struggled to find comparable groups for the study because the regional demographics varied so significantly.
    • matchable
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  1. 3 mathematical ordering (adj.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Math

    in math, two things that can be put in a specific order.

    describing two elements in a partially ordered set such that one is either greater than or equal to the other.

    Example

    In this specific set, not every pair of numbers is comparable.

    Example

    The theorem only applies if the elements are comparable within the defined partial order of the system.

  2. 4 grammatical forms (adj.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Science

    an adjective that can have 'more' or 'most' forms.

    describing an adjective or adverb that can take comparative and superlative inflections.

    Example

    Words like 'big' are comparable, but words like 'dead' usually are not.

    Example

    The student asked whether absolute adjectives like 'unique' should be treated as comparable in formal writing.

    Usage

    used specifically in linguistics and grammar
    • gradable
    • non gradable
  3. 5 a similar item (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Technical

    a thing that is similar to another and used for comparison, especially in business.

    an item, such as a property or a company, that is used as a benchmark to determine the value of another similar item.

    Example

    The real estate agent looked at recent comparables in the neighborhood to set the price.

    Example

    Without recent sales comparables, the appraisers found it difficult to justify the high valuation of the historic estate.
Origin

From Middle English comparable, from Middle French comparable, from Latin comparābilis. By surface analysis, compare + -able.

Word family

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