# comparison

/kəmˈpɛɹəsən/ (US) · /kəmpˈæɹɪsən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/comparison
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. examining similarities and differences

noun · CEFR B1

the process of looking at two or more things to see how they are alike or different.

For teachers: the act of comparing or the state of being compared; an evaluation of relative qualities.

- The teacher made a comparison between the two books to show their different styles.
- A detailed comparison of the two economic models reveals that while both aim for growth, their methods of wealth distribution differ significantly.

Usage: Often used with the prepositions 'of', 'between', or 'with'.

### 2. being similar or equal

noun · CEFR B2

the state of being similar to something else, often used to say one thing is much better than another.

For teachers: the state of being similar or alike, frequently used in negative constructions to indicate a vast difference in quality.

- There is no comparison between home-cooked food and a quick snack from a machine.
- In terms of sheer processing power, there is simply no comparison between the new quantum processor and its predecessor.

Usage: Commonly used in the phrase 'there is no comparison'.

Teaching tip: This sense is often used to emphasize that one thing is far superior to another.

### 3. grammatical degrees

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

the way adjectives and adverbs change to show 'more' or 'most' of a quality.

For teachers: the modification of adjectives and adverbs to indicate degrees of quality, quantity, or intensity through positive, comparative, and superlative forms.

- In English, the comparison of the word 'good' is 'better' and 'best'.
- The student struggled with the irregular comparison of certain adverbs, often applying standard suffixes where suppletion was required.

Usage: Refers to the positive, comparative, and superlative degrees.

Teaching tip: In a grammar context, this refers specifically to forms like 'big, bigger, biggest'.

## Examples

- The comparison between the two cars shows that one is much faster.
- After a careful comparison of the different insurance plans, she chose the one with the lowest monthly cost.
- A direct comparison of the two historical periods reveals striking similarities in their economic policies despite the vast differences in their social structures.

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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.