comparable
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.similar to something else in size, amount, or quality so that you can compare them fairly.
adj.similar in nature, quality, or amount; having enough shared characteristics to allow for a valid comparison.
Simple“The quality of this cheaper phone is comparable to the expensive models.”
In context“The economic growth seen in the last quarter is comparable to the boom years of the late nineties, suggesting a full recovery is underway.”
Usageoften followed by the preposition 'to'
PitfallThe 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.
SynonymsAntonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
adj.possible to compare because the things are in the same category.
adj.capable of being compared; possessing a common basis for evaluation.
Simple“We need to make sure the data sets are comparable before we start the analysis.”
In context“The researchers struggled to find comparable groups for the study because the regional demographics varied so significantly.”
SynonymsmatchableAntonyms - 03 C2 Proficiency
adj.in math, two things that can be put in a specific order.
adj.describing two elements in a partially ordered set such that one is either greater than or equal to the other.
Simple“In this specific set, not every pair of numbers is comparable.”
In context“The theorem only applies if the elements are comparable within the defined partial order of the system.”
- 04 C2 Proficiency
adj.an adjective that can have 'more' or 'most' forms.
adj.describing an adjective or adverb that can take comparative and superlative inflections.
Simple“Words like 'big' are comparable, but words like 'dead' usually are not.”
In context“The student asked whether absolute adjectives like 'unique' should be treated as comparable in formal writing.”
Usageused specifically in linguistics and grammar
SynonymsgradableAntonymsnon gradable - 05 C1 Advanced
n.a thing that is similar to another and used for comparison, especially in business.
n.an item, such as a property or a company, that is used as a benchmark to determine the value of another similar item.
Simple“The real estate agent looked at recent comparables in the neighborhood to set the price.”
In context“Without recent sales comparables, the appraisers found it difficult to justify the high valuation of the historic estate.”
Usage comparable in size · comparable figure · comparable to
“As the former US surgeon general Dr Vivek Murthy warned, loneliness carries comparable risks to that of smoking.”
“This is only comparable to inhospitable areas of the Scandinavian Peninsula or the Alps.”
From Middle English comparable, from Middle French comparable, from Latin comparābilis. By surface analysis, compare + -able.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.