# comparatively

/kəmˈpɛɹətɪvɫi/ (US) · /kəmpˈæɹətˌɪvli/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/comparatively
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. relative to others

adverb · CEFR B2 · Academic

used to describe a quality when you compare it to something else.

For teachers: to a moderate or relative degree when measured against a standard or similar entities.

- The exam was comparatively easy compared to the difficult one we had last month.
- While the initial investment was high, the long-term maintenance costs remained comparatively low, justifying the project's budget to the board.

Usage: typically placed before an adjective or another adverb to modify its intensity.

Teaching tip: this is a high-frequency word in academic writing; it is often used as a more formal synonym for 'relatively'.

## Examples

- This car is comparatively cheap.
- The new software is comparatively easy to learn for users who have tried older versions.
- While the initial costs were high, the long-term savings made the investment comparatively attractive to risk-averse stakeholders.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.