# conservatives

/kənˈsɝvətɪvz/ (US) · /kənsˈɜːvətˌɪvz/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. people with traditional views

noun · CEFR B2

people who like to keep things as they are and prefer traditional ideas over new ones.

For teachers: individuals who favour traditional values and are generally cautious about social or political change.

- Many conservatives in the town were against the plan to build a modern shopping mall.
- Social conservatives often argue that rapid changes to family law can have unintended consequences for the stability of the community.

### 2. political party members

noun · CEFR B2

members or supporters of a political party that wants lower taxes and less government control.

For teachers: members or supporters of a Conservative Party, typically representing center-right or right-wing ideologies.

- The Conservatives won the election and formed a new government.
- The Conservatives maintained a slim majority in parliament, allowing them to pass their proposed budget despite heavy opposition from the left.

Usage: Often capitalised when referring to a specific political party.

## Examples

- Many conservatives believe in lower taxes for small businesses.
- During the debate, the conservatives argued that the new law would interfere too much with local traditions.
- While the party platform has evolved, many fiscal conservatives remain steadfast in their commitment to reducing the national deficit through significant spending cuts.

---

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.