WordGarden.iocompare
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /kəmpˈeə/
US
- /kəmˈpɛr/
Meanings
Verb
to examine things to find similarities, differences, or relative value
to describe one thing as similar to another
to be similar or measure up when judged against something else
Beyond the definition
To compare means to look closely at two or more things to find what's similar and what's different about them. It's not just about saying things are the same; it's about understanding how they stack up against each other. Think of a detective comparing fingerprints: they aren't necessarily looking for an exact match right away, but for the specific details that help solve the case. You might compare apples and oranges to decide which fruit you prefer, or compare different job offers to see which one is the best fit. Sometimes we even compare ourselves to others, though it's often more helpful to focus on our own unique journey.
To compare means to examine two or more things in order to note their similarities and differences. It is a fundamental process of understanding, evaluation, and decision-making. For example, "She compared the prices of different airlines before booking her flight," means she weighed each option to find the best value.
Comparing isn't just about finding what's alike; it's equally important to identify what sets things apart. A food critic might compare two restaurants, noting that one has a more vibrant atmosphere while the other offers higher-quality ingredients. Similarly, a scientist compares experimental results with established theories to test a new hypothesis.
The context of "compare" can vary greatly. It is often used in analytical situations—like when you are writing an essay comparing different characters or themes in a novel. However, it also appears in everyday conversation: "How does this movie compare to the book?" or "Compared to last year, sales are up."
You may also hear different prepositions with it. People often say "compare A with B" for a careful, side-by-side look, and "compare A to B" when they mean that one thing is like another (sometimes in a poetic or figurative way).
Interestingly, we also use "compare" figuratively. To say someone is "beyond compare" means they are so exceptional that nothing else can match their quality. While comparing is a vital tool for making informed judgments and appreciating nuance, it is always worth remembering that everything has unique qualities that a direct comparison might not fully capture.
Examples
- 1
Shopping
We compared prices at three different stores before we bought the sofa.
- 2
Cities
People often compare Paris and Rome, but each city feels different.
- 3
Data comparison
If you compare this year's sales with last year's, the increase is clear.
- Patterncompare A with B
look at two things together
- 4
Figurative comparison
She compared the city at night to a sea of stars.
- Patterncompare A to B
say one thing is like another
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Performance comparison
Compared with my old laptop, this one starts much faster.
- Patterncompared with
when you look at it next to something else
- 6
Social media
Try not to compare yourself to other people online.
- 7
Policy report
The report compares how different countries deal with water shortages.
- 8
Shared information
After the meeting, we compared notes to make sure we had heard the same thing.
- Phrasecompare notes
share information to check what each person knows
- 9
Quality judgment
For me, no other beach compares with this one at sunset.
- Patterncompares with
is as good as
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
- liken
- measure against
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- compare two things
- compare A with B
- compare A to B
- compare notes
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- compareverbnoun
Forms
- comparedpast tenseverbnoun
- comparing-ing formverbnoun
- comparesverbnoun