1com·par·a·tive 
/ˌkəmˈperətɪv/ adjective
always used before a noun /ˌkəmˈperətɪv/ adjective 1 : seeming to be something when compared with others
▪ She is a comparative [=relative] newcomer to the industry. [=she is not really a newcomer but is much more of a newcomer than many others] ▪ We dropped anchor in the comparative [=relative] safety of the harbor. [=the harbor was not completely safe but it was safer than the area outside the harbor] 2 : involving the act of looking at the ways that things are alike or different
▪ She did a comparative study of classical and modern art. ▪ I'm taking a class in comparative anatomy/literature. ▪ a comparative analysis of the roles of women in different cultures 3 grammar : of or relating to the form of an adjective or adverb that is used to indicate more of a particular quality
▪ The comparative form of “happy” is “happier”; the comparative form of “good” is “better”; the comparative form of “clearly” is “more clearly.” — compare superlative
▪ She is a comparative [=relative] newcomer to the industry. [=she is not really a newcomer but is much more of a newcomer than many others] ▪ We dropped anchor in the comparative [=relative] safety of the harbor. [=the harbor was not completely safe but it was safer than the area outside the harbor]
▪ She did a comparative study of classical and modern art. ▪ I'm taking a class in comparative anatomy/literature. ▪ a comparative analysis of the roles of women in different cultures
▪ The comparative form of “happy” is “happier”; the comparative form of “good” is “better”; the comparative form of “clearly” is “more clearly.” — compare superlative
