Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

compare

/kəmˈpɛɚ/

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.45 in modern English

Syllables
com-pare
IPA
/kəmˈpɛɚ/
13
Scrabble Score
7
Letters
2
Syllables
7
Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

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.

Transitive verb

verb

To declare two things to be similar in some respect [“to compare X to Y”].

Transitive verb

verb

To form the three degrees of comparison of (an adjective).

Transitive verb

verb

To be similar (often used in the negative).

Intransitive verb

verb

To get; to obtain.

Obsolete

noun

Comparison.

Uncountable

noun

An instruction or command that compares two values or states.

Countable

noun

Illustration by comparison; simile.

Obsolete; Uncountable

Example Sentences

Etymology

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”).

Origin

Word Breakdown

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /kəmˈpɛɚ/
  • British English: /kəmˈpɛə/

Usage

Inflected Forms

compares (present, singular) comparing (participle, present) compared (participle, past) compared (past) no-table-tags (table tags) glossary (inflection template) compared (first person, past) comparest (archaic, present) compared (past, second person) comparedst (archaic, past) compareth (archaic, present) compared (past, singular)

Derived Forms

comparable comparee comparingly incompared intercompare miscompare recompare uncompared

Phrases

compare and contrast compare and despair compare apples to apples compare apples with apples compare notes beyond compare

Frequently Paired Words

comparand comparandum comparative comparison cf contrast

Synonyms

set against weigh against collate liken comparison equivalence comparability equate

Rhymes With

their there where care they're air share hair fair wear square aware

Questions

How do you pronounce compare?
The recorded pronunciation is /kəmˈpɛɚ/.
What does compare mean?
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.
Where does compare come from?
It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce compare

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “compare”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/kəmˈpɛɚ/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “compare”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “compare” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.