Added 3 October 2026
compare
/kəmˈpɛɚ/ verb
In Latin: comparō Wiktionary
verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about compare at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
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To assess the similarities and differences between two or more things ["to compare X with Y"]. Having made the comparison of X with Y, one might have found it similar to Y or different from Y.
Compare the tiger's coloration with that of the zebra.
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To declare two things to be similar in some respect ["to compare X to Y"].
Astronomers have compared comets to dirty snowballs.
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To form the three degrees of comparison of (an adjective).
We compare "good" as "good", "better", "best".
noun
- Comparison.
- An instruction or command that compares two values or states.
- Illustration by comparison; simile.
Origin
From Middle English comparen, from Old French comparer, from Latin comparare (“to prepare, procure”), from compar (“like or equal to another”), from com- + par (“equal”). Displaced native Old English metan (“to compare,” also “to measure”).
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)