# conservative

/kənˈsɝvətɪv/ (US) · /kənsˈɜːvətˌɪv/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/conservative
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. preferring tradition

adjective · CEFR B2

preferring traditional styles and values, and usually resisting sudden changes.

For teachers: tending to preserve established traditions and institutions while resisting innovation or rapid change.

- The older generation often has more conservative views on family and marriage.
- The board took a conservative approach to the restructuring, opting to maintain existing departments rather than risk a complete overhaul.

### 2. political ideology

adjective · CEFR B2

relating to a political belief that supports lower taxes, less government power, and traditional social rules.

For teachers: relating to a political philosophy that promotes individual liberty, free markets, and the preservation of social stability.

- He joined the conservative party because he wanted the government to spend less money.
- The candidate's conservative platform resonated with rural voters who felt alienated by the urban elite's progressive social policies.

### 3. cautious estimation

adjective · CEFR C1 · Academic

a guess or calculation that is purposely low to avoid being wrong or taking risks.

For teachers: referring to an estimate or assumption that is deliberately moderate or low to ensure safety or reliability.

- A conservative estimate of the repair costs would be around five hundred dollars.
- Even by conservative estimates, the project is expected to take at least three years to reach the production phase.

Usage: Often used with nouns like 'estimate', 'guess', or 'calculation'.

### 4. style and appearance

adjective · CEFR B2

plain and professional in style; not showing off or following new fashions.

For teachers: avoiding showiness or extremes in style; adhering to established standards of professional or formal dress.

- She wore a conservative dark suit for her job interview at the bank.
- The architect designed a conservative facade that blended seamlessly with the historic buildings surrounding the new plaza.

### 5. medical treatment

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

medical care that avoids surgery or strong drugs if possible.

For teachers: referring to medical management that avoids invasive procedures or radical interventions in favour of monitoring or physical therapy.

- The doctor recommended conservative treatment like rest and ice before considering surgery.
- The surgeon opted for a conservative course of action, monitoring the patient's progress before committing to an invasive spinal procedure.

### 6. linguistics

adjective · CEFR C2 · Academic · Technical

a form of a language that has not changed much from how it was spoken in the past.

For teachers: describing a language variety or feature that retains older forms and has undergone fewer phonological or morphological changes than related varieties.

- Icelandic is a very conservative language that still looks like Old Norse.
- The dialect spoken in the isolated mountain village is remarkably conservative, preserving vowel sounds that have disappeared elsewhere.

### 7. a person

noun · CEFR B2

someone who holds traditional values or supports a conservative political party.

For teachers: an individual who adheres to traditional values or supports right-of-center political ideologies.

- My uncle is a staunch conservative who rarely agrees with new social laws.
- The debate featured a prominent conservative who argued that rapid cultural shifts were damaging the social fabric of the nation.

## Examples

- The young conservative voted for the traditional candidate.
- As a fiscal conservative, he argued that the government should reduce its spending to avoid a budget deficit.
- The debate highlighted the tension between those seeking radical social reform and the conservatives who maintained that existing institutions provided the necessary stability for a functioning democracy.

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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.