comparison
/kəmˈparɪs(ə)n
/noun
1A consideration or estimate of the similarities or dissimilarities between two things or people: they drew a comparison between Gandhi’s teaching and that of other teachers [mass noun]: the two books invite comparison with one another...
- The GMC drew a comparison between revalidation and the periodic assessments that airline pilots have to undergo.
- Calls for more bank holidays always invite comparisons - usually with the Continent.
- His potential and spiky energy have invited comparisons with some of the finest in Liverpool's history.
Synonyms
contrast, juxtaposition, collation, differentiation;
weighing up, balancing
1.1An analogy: perhaps the best comparison is that of seasickness...
- In the original Greek sense, analogy involved a comparison of two proportions or relations.
- Perhaps a comparison could be made with alcohol, a potent and dangerous drug.
- Until these questions are answered, a comparison to Greek rituals will just be speculative.
1.2 [mass noun] The quality of being similar or equivalent: when it comes to achievements this season, there’s no comparison between Linfield and Bangor...
- There are no ceremonial procedures for entry to a civil relationship to avoid any parallel or comparison with marriage.
- In the quality of their play there has been no comparison between the two.
- There is another interesting comparison between these two essays.
Synonyms
resemblance, likeness, similarity, similitude, correspondence, correlation, parallel, parity, symmetry, equivalence, comparability, analogy
2 [mass noun] Grammar The formation of the comparative and superlative forms of adjectives and adverbs.
Phrases
bear (or stand) comparison
beyond comparison
in (or by) comparison
Origin
Middle English: from Old French comparesoun, from Latin comparatio(n-), from comparare 'to pair, match' (see compare).