comparable Meaning & Definition
What Does Comparable Mean?
As an adjective, comparable means Able to be compared (to). It can also mean Similar (to); like. As a noun, it means Something suitable for comparison.
Word Facts for Comparable
| Part of speech | adjective, noun |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | //ˈkɒmpəɹəbəl// |
| Syllables | 1 |
| Synonyms | corresponding, like and same |
| Antonyms | incomparable and uncomparable |
| Plural | comparables |
| Comparative / superlative | more comparable, most comparable |
Comparable Definition (Adjective)
- Able to be compared (to).
An elephant is comparable in size to a double-decker bus.
- Similar (to); like.
- Constituting a pair in a particular partial order.
Six and forty-two are comparable in the divides order, but six and nine are not.
- Having comparative and superlative forms.
"Big" is a comparable adjective because it can take the forms "bigger" and "biggest"; "unique" and "amazing", in contrast, are not comparable adjectives.
Comparable as a Noun
- Something suitable for comparison.
Adjective
- (often with to) Able to be compared (to).
An elephant is comparable in size to a double-decker bus.
- (often with to) Similar (to); like.
- (grammar) Said of an adjective that has a comparative and superlative form.
"Big" is a comparable adjective, since it can take the forms "bigger" and "biggest"; but "unique" is not comparable, except in disputed, but common, usage.
Synonyms of Comparable
Comparable synonyms and antonyms →Antonyms of Comparable
Comparable in a Sentence
An elephant is comparable in size to a double-decker bus.
You can't say that robbing a bank is like pickpocketing. The two are just not comparable.
Six and forty-two are comparable in the divides order, but six and nine are not.
"Big" is a comparable adjective because it can take the forms "bigger" and "biggest"; "unique" and "amazing", in contrast, are not comparable adjectives.
"Big" is a comparable adjective, since it can take the forms "bigger" and "biggest"; but "unique" is not comparable, except in disputed, but common, usage.
Word Forms & Grammar
comparable (comparative more comparable, superlative most comparable)
comparable (plural comparables)
Words That Rhyme With Comparable
Origin of Comparable
From Middle English comparable, from Middle French comparable, from Latin comparābilis. By surface analysis, compare + -able.
Pronouncing Comparable
The standard pronunciation of comparable is //ˈkɒmpəɹəbəl//, spoken in 1 syllable.
Questions People Ask About Comparable
Is comparable an adjective or a noun?
Comparable is mainly used as an adjective, but it can also be used as a noun.
What is another word for comparable?
Words with a similar meaning to comparable include corresponding, like and same. See the full list of comparable synonyms and antonyms.
What is the opposite of comparable?
Words opposite in meaning to comparable are incomparable and uncomparable.
What is the plural of comparable?
The plural of comparable is comparables.
What are the comparative and superlative forms of comparable?
The comparative form is more comparable and the superlative form is most comparable.