Dictionary
1relative
noun rel·a·tive \ˈre-lə-tiv\
: a member of your family
: something that belongs to the same group as something else because of shared characteristics, qualities, etc.
Full Definition of RELATIVE
1
: a word referring grammatically to an antecedent
2
: a thing having a relation to or connection with or necessary dependence on another thing
3
a : a person connected with another by blood or affinity b : an animal or plant related to another by common descent
4
: a relative term
See relative defined for English-language learners
See relative defined for kids
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First Known Use of RELATIVE
14th century
Related to RELATIVE
- Antonyms
- nonrelative
Other Genetics Terms
2relative
adjective
: compared to someone or something else or to each other
: seeming to be something when compared with others
grammar : referring to a noun, a part of a sentence, or a sentence that was used earlier
Full Definition of RELATIVE
1
: introducing a subordinate clause qualifying an expressed or implied antecedent <a relative pronoun>; also : introduced by such a connective <a relative clause>
3
: not absolute or independent : comparative <the relative isolation of life in the country>
4
: having the same key signature —used of major and minor keys and scales
5
: expressed as the ratio of the specified quantity (as an error in measuring) to the total magnitude (as the value of a measured quantity) or to the mean of all the quantities involved
See relative defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of RELATIVE
15th century
Related to RELATIVE
- Synonyms
- almost, approximate, near, comparative
- Antonyms
- absolute, complete, downright, out-and-out, outright, perfect, pure, unqualified
RELATIVE Defined for Kids
1relative
noun rel·a·tive \ˈre-lə-tiv\
Definition of RELATIVE for Kids
: a person connected with another by ancestry or marriage
2relative
adjective
Definition of RELATIVE for Kids
1
: existing in comparison to something else <What is the relative value of the two houses?>
2
: relevant <Please ask questions relative to the topic.>
— rel·a·tive·ly adverb <It's been a relatively dry year.>
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Next Word in the Dictionary: relative adjectivePrevious Word in the Dictionary: relativalAll Words Near: relative
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