compare definition - Dictionary

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	compass plant

	compass rose

	compass saw

	compass sense

	compass window

	compassion

	compassion fatigue

	compassionate

	compassionate leave

	compassionate use

	compatibilist

	compatible

	compatriot

	compd.

	compeer

	compel

	compelling

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compare

com·pare [ kəm pér ]

verb (past and past participle com·pared, present participle com·par·ing, 3rd person present singular com·pares)

Definition:

1. transitive verb examine people or things for similarities: to examine two or more people or things in order to discover similarities and differences between them

2. transitive verb liken somebody or something to another: to consider or represent somebody or something as similar to another

3. intransitive verb be as good: to be equal or similar in quality or standing, especially to be as good as another

As an athlete she can compare with the best in the sport.

4. intransitive verb relate in particular way: to have a particular relationship with something or somebody else

Its performance compares badly with that of rival engines.

5. intransitive verb make comparison: to make a comparison between two or more people or things

6. transitive verb grammar give forms of adjective or adverb: to give the positive, comparative, and superlative forms of an adjective or adverb

noun

Definition:

comparison: comparison ( literary )

a painting beautiful beyond compare

[15th century. < Latin comparare< compar "equal with" < par "equal"]

com·par·er noun

Word Usage


	Compare to or compare with? In careful usage, compare to is preferred when two unlike things are being likened: He compared her skin to ivory.Compare with is used when the comparison is between similar things and implies differences as well as similarities: Tourists find our hotels good compared with those of European capitals. When compare is used intransitively (i.e., without an object), with should always be used: The new model compares well with others in the same price range. See also comparable.

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