compare1 verbcompare2 noun
comparecom‧pare1 /kəmˈpeə $ -ˈper/ ●●● S1 W1 verb 
WORD ORIGINcompare1
Origin:
1400-1500 French comparer, from Latin comparare, from compar ‘like’, from com- ( ➔ COM-) + par ‘equal’VERB TABLE
compare
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | compare |
| he, she, it | compares | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | compared |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have compared |
| he, she, it | has compared | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had compared |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will compare |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have compared |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am comparing |
| he, she, it | is comparing | |
| you, we, they | are comparing | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was comparing |
| you, we, they | were comparing | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been comparing |
| he, she, it | has been comparing | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been comparing |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be comparing |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been comparing |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- I hate the way you always compare me with your ex-boyfriend.
- If you compare rents in London with those in New York, you'll find they are about the same.
- The report compares home computers currently available in stores.
- You can't compare Charlie Parker with John Coltrane. They were completely different musicians.
- You should compare at least three or four computers before buying one.
- Some 22 percent of councillors had a degree or equivalent qualification compared to only 5 percent of the general population.
- The 1991 figure of 585 casualties shows a marked reduction of 65 or 10% compared with the 1990 total of 650 casualties.
- There was nothing, not even that hotel sitting room, to compare.
- They were more physically fit, had lost a little body fat and lowered their triglycerides compared to the control group.
THESAURUS
to consider two or more things or people, in order to show how they are similar or different: · Scientists compared the results of both experiments.· The woman’s body was identified by comparing her teeth with dental records.
to compare two or more things or people and say how they are similar: · In her article, she makes a comparison between people’s lives now and 50 years ago.· It is possible to draw a comparison between the two poets’ work.
to say that two situations are similar – a rather formal use: · Some people have attempted to draw an analogy between America’s invasion of Iraq and the war in Vietnam.
to say that some features of things are similar, especially things that are actually very different – a rather formal use: · He draws a parallel between football and religion.· Parallels can be drawn between her work and that of Picasso.
to compare two things, situations etc, in order to show how they are different from each other: · In her novel she contrasts the lives of two families in very different circumstances.
to say that you think two things are very different: · The author draws a distinction between allowing death to occur, and causing it.· It is important to make a distinction between people’s fears about crime and the amount of crime that really happens.
to compare two people or things, in order to judge which is better, bigger etc: · As a young actress, she was nervous of being measured against her famous father.· Murray’s progress is often measured against that of Nadal.
Longman Language Activatorto compare things to think about two or more things or people, in order to see how similar or different they are: · You should compare at least three or four computers before buying one.compare something/somebody with: · I hate the way you always compare me with your ex-boyfriend.· If you compare rents in London with those in New York, you'll find they are about the same.· You can't compare Charlie Parker with John Coltrane. They were completely different musicians.
to describe someone or something as being similar to someone or something else, especially in order to make it easier to understand: liken somebody/something to: · Critics have likened the new city hall building to a barn.· Morris has often been likened to Bobby Kennedy.· He likened today's stockmarket to that of the 1920s.
to compare two or more situations or ideas, people etc: make a comparison between: · The article makes a comparison between the novels 'Anna Karenina' and 'Madame Bovary'.
to compare two similar situations or ideas in order to explain or prove something about one of them: draw an analogy between: · He drew an analogy between mathematics and language.· Joe drew an analogy between the Soviet Union of 1946 and Germany of 1938.
to compare two different situations in order to show that they are similar in some ways: draw a parallel between/with: · One could draw a parallel between the professions of acting and politics.· He was drawing parallels between events leading up to the last war and current political problems.· You could draw parallels with the old Samson and Delilah story.
to compare two things, situations, ideas etc in order to show how they are different from each other: · The guide was contrasting the styles of Monet and Manet.contrast with: · In the film, the peaceful life of a monk is contrasted with the violent life of a murderer.· It is interesting to contrast life in Spain now with what it was like prior to 1975.compare and contrast (=show the similarities and differences): · The book compares and contrasts the various methods used in language teaching.
when one thing is being compared with another · The British are good drivers compared to those in the rest of the EU.· Statistics show that there has been a 20% reduction in burglary compared with last year.· Women visit their doctors six times a year compared to the three or so visits that men make.
as shown when compared with another situation, idea, person etc: · My car is so slow that it makes a bicycle look fast in comparison.in comparison/by comparison with: · We employ far fewer staff in comparison with similar-sized companies.pale in/by comparison (=to look worse or much less important in comparison): · Forecasters say this year's drought could make that of 1991 pale by comparison.· The Yankees' problems pale by comparison with those of the Dodgers.
use this to talk about the difference between the things, situations, people etc that you are comparing: · I read a lot as a child, but my daughter, by contrast, just seems interested in television.in contrast to: · In contrast to the hot days, the nights are bitterly cold.
use this to say that something seems more or less impressive, important etc when compared to something else: · Tom's efforts seemed so weak beside Martin's.· Delhi is so old that many European cities actually look young beside it.
use this when you are comparing two pieces of information, facts, etc in order to show how they are different: · Last year there were 443 industrial accidents as against 257 in 1985.· With only 57 inhabitants per square mile, as against a world average of over 70, the country is far from overcrowded.
use this to say that something does not seem correct, suitable, impressive etc compared with the things that surround it: · Ricky's head is small in proportion to the rest of his body.· I've always thought that my problems were very minor in proportion to those of many other people.
having a particular quality when compared with something else: · Kim lived a life of relative ease and privilege.relative strength/weakness: · the relative strength of the dollar against the Mexican pesorelative advantages (and disadvantages): · She was terrified of flying. The relative advantages of air travel didn't tempt her at all.relative merits (=what is good about them compared with each other): · The two men stood at the bar discussing the relative merits of various sports cars.it is all relative (=it can not be judged on its own, but must be compared with others): · It's all relative, isn't it? Someone who is poor in this country might be considered well off in another.
: comparative happiness/comfort/safety etc happiness, comfort, safety etc that is fairly satisfactory when compared to another: · After a lifetime of poverty, his last few years were spent in comparative comfort.· Fresh fruit and vegetables have become a comparative rarity in the region.· During the bombings, families sheltered in the comparative safety of the underground rail stations.
: more/less/bigger etc than · Geographically, Canada is bigger than the US.· My sister earns a lot more than I do.
worse more unpleasant, annoying, bad etc, or of a lower standard or quality than someone or something else that is also bad: · I really don't think the situation could be any worse.worse than: · Conditions in the prison were worse than anything I had seen before.· Stop it Gary, you're worse than the kids!even/far worse (=worse than something that is very bad): · Duncan's handwriting is even worse than his sister's.· a terrible script and even worse actinga lot worse/much worse: · The traffic is a lot worse after five o'clock.· The next morning, the weather was much worse, and the team stayed at base camp.make something worse: · I tried to fix the computer myself, but that just made it worse.
of a lower standard, quality, or level than something else that is good: · I like this town better than Harrisburg, but the schools aren't as good.not as good as: · This book is not as good as her last one.· The fishing out there isn't as good as it used to be.not nearly as good as/nowhere near as good as (=use to emphasize that the difference in quality is quite big): · Their latest album isn't nearly as good as their last one.· Cheap, plastic-wrapped cheese is nowhere near as good as the real thing.
formal of a lower quality than something else, or less good at doing something than someone else: · Consumers are tired of paying a high price for what is an increasingly inferior service.· California oil is a heavier and inferior grade of oil, compared with other crude oils. inferior to: · Old Mr Carter was convinced that women doctors were inferior to men.inferior in quality/status/worth etc: · White bread is generally inferior in nutritional value.of inferior quality/materials/status etc: · Their furniture is certainly cheaper, but it's of inferior quality.
especially spoken use this to emphasize that someone or something is not nearly as good as someone or something else: · How can you compare him to Ivan Lendl? He's not in the same league at all.· Vinyl is strong and looks good but it doesn't compare with real leather.not be in the same league as: · It's quite a good movie but not in the same league as 'High Noon' or 'The Magnificent Seven'
British informal use this to emphasize that something is not nearly as good as something else, especially something that came before it: · Shop-bought pasta sauces aren't a patch on home-made.· This year's charity marathon wasn't a patch on last year's.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
The quality of English wines can now compare with wines from Germany. How does life in Britain compare with life in the States? The imported fabric is 30% cheaper and compares favourably (=is as good) in quality.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES an essay comparing and contrasting (=showing how two things are similar and different) Verdi and Wagner and their operasCOLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
(=an expression used when telling students to write about the things that are similar or different in works of literature or art) Compare and contrast the main characters of these two novels.
Compare and contrast the main characters of these two novels. The quality of English wines can now compare with wines from Germany. How does life in Britain compare with life in the States? The imported fabric is 30% cheaper and compares favourably (=is as good) in quality. an essay comparing and contrasting (=showing how two things are similar and different) Verdi and Wagner and their operas· Do we really believe that the rights we enjoy under our laws compare favourably with those in other societies?· He is right to emphasise the general safety level of the railways, which compares favourably with all other modes of transport.· The system has been streamlined and statistics prove that the speed and quality of our decision-making compares favourably with other local authorities.· Many employing organisations nowadays pay salaries which compare favourably with those paid to graduates in other employment sectors.· Although quite a large reel in appearance, it only weighs 10.9oz which compares favourably with small sized reels.· At constant prices accounting for price movements, this represents a 7.6% increase, comparing favourably with last years increase of 1.6%.· At 354 grams, it compares favourably with its competitors which lurch towards the 400 mark.· Certainly they compare favourably with those of other professions.
· Will he confirm that many aspects of social security systems in other countries compare unfavourably with ours?· If he compares unfavourably with his rivals he will be rejected.· Everything Rain had seen at the Maurin gallery and everything the Contessa Mantero had shown her compared unfavourably with this painting.· As ever, youth of the period were compared unfavourably with previous generations.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► something doesn’t/can’t compare (with something)
- Compared to Los Angeles, Santa Barbara almost seems rural.
- Statistics show a 20% reduction in burglary compared with last year.
- The New Moms group allows us to compare notes.
- Between courses, Rebecca and I disappear into the toilet together to compare notes.
- I am eager to share my thoughts with you, to compare notes, and to get your opinions.
- I wanted the chance to compare notes and probe and ask questions, and with this approach I could.
- It was only later, when we compared notes, that we put his source down to something inhuman.
- Students and lecturers should be able to use the system to compare notes and ideas.
- The journalists gathered in knots to compare notes and decide on the best angle on the story.
WORD FAMILYnouncomparisoncomparabilitythe comparativeadjectivecomparable ≠ incomparablecomparativeadverbcomparativelycomparablyverbcompare
1[transitive] to consider two or more things or people, in order to show how they are similar or different: The report compares the different types of home computer available.compare something/somebody with something/somebody The police compared the suspect’s fingerprints with those found at the crime scene.compare something/somebody to something/somebody Davies’ style of writing has been compared to Dickens’.compare and contrast (=an expression used when telling students to write about the things that are similar or different in works of literature or art) Compare and contrast the main characters of these two novels.2compared to/with something used when considering the size, quality, or amount of something in relation to something similar: a 20% reduction in burglary compared with last year Compared to our small flat, Bill’s house seemed like a palace.3[intransitive] to be better or worse than something elsecompare (favourably/unfavourably) with something The quality of English wines can now compare with wines from Germany. How does life in Britain compare with life in the States? The imported fabric is 30% cheaper and compares favourably (=is as good) in quality.4something doesn’t/can’t compare (with something) if something does not compare with something else, it is not as good, large etc: The rides at the fair just can’t compare with the rides at Disneyland.5compare notes (with somebody) informal to talk to someone in order to find out if their experience of something is the same as yours: Leading scientists got together in Paris to compare notes on current research.THESAURUScompare to consider two or more things or people, in order to show how they are similar or different: · Scientists compared the results of both experiments.· The woman’s body was identified by comparing her teeth with dental records.make/draw a comparison to compare two or more things or people and say how they are similar: · In her article, she makes a comparison between people’s lives now and 50 years ago.· It is possible to draw a comparison between the two poets’ work.draw an analogy to say that two situations are similar – a rather formal use: · Some people have attempted to draw an analogy between America’s invasion of Iraq and the war in Vietnam.draw a parallel to say that some features of things are similar, especially things that are actually very different – a rather formal use: · He draws a parallel between football and religion.· Parallels can be drawn between her work and that of Picasso.contrast to compare two things, situations etc, in order to show how they are different from each other: · In her novel she contrasts the lives of two families in very different circumstances.make/draw a distinction between to say that you think two things are very different: · The author draws a distinction between allowing death to occur, and causing it.· It is important to make a distinction between people’s fears about crime and the amount of crime that really happens.measure somebody/something against somebody/something to compare two people or things, in order to judge which is better, bigger etc: · As a young actress, she was nervous of being measured against her famous father.· Murray’s progress is often measured against that of Nadal.compare1 verbcompare2 noun
comparecompare2 noun EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
- She went to her chamber and used every art she knew to make herself beautiful beyond compare.
- Their written language was the most advanced of the pre-Columbian scripts, and their astronomical knowledge beyond compare.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES an essay comparing and contrasting (=showing how two things are similar and different) Verdi and Wagner and their operasCOLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN
an essay comparing and contrasting (=showing how two things are similar and different) Verdi and Wagner and their operas· The Muses had no instrument peculiar to them, but their voices were lovely beyond compare.· She went to her chamber and used every art she knew to make herself beautiful beyond compare.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY
beyond/without compare literary a quality that is beyond compare is the best of its kind: - The dancing in the show had a beauty that was beyond compare.
- She went to her chamber and used every art she knew to make herself beautiful beyond compare.
- The Muses had no instrument peculiar to them, but their voices were lovely beyond compare.
- Their written language was the most advanced of the pre-Columbian scripts, and their astronomical knowledge beyond compare.
a beauty and an elegance beyond compare