Definition

1. Verb:

   • To examine two or more things to note similarities and differences: The core meaning involves looking at items side-by-side to identify how they are alike or different.
   • To consider or describe as similar or analogous: To state that one thing is like another, often to explain or illustrate a point.
   • To be worthy of comparison; to be similar in quality or standard: Used to indicate that two things can be evaluated against each other.
   • (Grammar) To form the comparative and superlative degrees of an adjective or adverb: To change a word to show a greater or the greatest degree of a quality (e.g., fast, faster, fastest).

2. Noun:

   • (Archaic/Literary) Comparison: The act or result of comparing. This usage is now rare except in fixed phrases.

Usage Examples

• Verb:

  • Let's compare the features of these two smartphones before buying one. (Examine for differences)
  • The poet compared her eyes to shining stars. (Describe as similar)
  • This cheap imitation doesn't compare to the original product. (Be similar in quality)
  • How do you compare "good"? It becomes "better" and "best". (Form grammatical degrees)

• Noun:

  • Her beauty is beyond compare. (A fixed phrase meaning "unequaled" or "incomparable")

Advanced Usage

• "compare notes": To exchange opinions, observations, or information with someone about a shared experience.

  • After the conference, we compared notes on the most interesting presentations.

• "beyond compare" / "without compare": An idiom used to describe something so excellent that nothing else is equal to it.

  • The violinist's talent is beyond compare.

Variants and Related Words

• Comparison (n): The act or process of comparing.

  • A detailed comparison of the data is needed.

• Comparative (adj/n): (Adj) Measured or judged by comparison; relative. (N) The grammatical form expressing a higher degree.

  • In comparative terms, this year's sales are strong. (Adj)
  • "Faster" is the comparative of "fast". (N)

• Comparable (adj): Able to be likened or considered similar; of equivalent quality.

  • The two offers are not comparable.

Synonyms

• Contrast: To compare to highlight differences (often emphasizes dissimilarities).
• Juxtapose: To place things close together for comparison or contrast.
• Likening: The act of describing something as similar to something else.

Related Phrasal Verbs / Constructions

• Compare to: Typically used to point out similarities between different things, often for poetic or metaphorical effect.

  • Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?

• Compare with: Typically used to examine both similarities and differences, often for a detailed analysis.

  • Compare the results with those from the previous experiment.

Related Idioms

• Pale in comparison: To seem much less important, good, or impressive when compared to something else.
  • My efforts pale in comparison to hers.

Noun

1. qualities that are comparable
   • no comparison between the two books
   • beyond compare

Verb

1. to form the comparative or superlative form on an adjective or adverb
2. consider or describe as similar, equal, or analogous
   • We can compare the Han dynasty to the Romans
   • You cannot equate success in financial matters with greed
3. be comparable
   • This car does not compare with our line of Mercedes
4. examine and note the similarities or differences of
   • John compared his haircut to his friend's
   • We compared notes after we had both seen the movie