What does comparable mean?
Comparable is an adjective describing two or more things that share enough qualities to be likened to each other, or that are roughly equal in size, value, quality, or importance. When we say a product's performance is comparable to its competitor's, we mean the difference between them is small enough that neither clearly outclasses the other. The word carries a neutral, analytical tone, making it a staple of journalism, science, business reporting, and everyday evaluation alike. It derives from Latin comparare, 'to pair or match', built on par, meaning equal — the same root behind pair and peer. English speakers typically use it in phrases such as comparable to and comparable with, and it pairs naturally with nouns like prices, figures, standards, and conditions. A related noun form, comparability, describes the degree to which things can fairly be weighed against one another, a concept central to research and statistics.
Able to be likened to something else through shared qualities; roughly similar or equal in size, value, quality, or importance.
"Salaries at the two firms are directly comparable."
Often used with 'to' or 'with'; see usage notes.
Something that can be compared with another thing; an item of similar kind or standing.
"The painting has no real comparable in the museum's collection."
Rare, mostly in art-market and auction contexts.
Comparable comes straight from the Latin par, meaning 'equal' — so every time you say two things are comparable, you're literally calling them peers.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of comparable
Comparable entered English in the late Middle Ages, borrowed from Latin comparabilis, itself derived from comparare, 'to couple, match, or compare'. That verb combines the prefix com-, meaning 'with' or 'together', with par, meaning 'equal'. The same Latin root gives English compare, comparison, comparative, and pair, and underlies the notion of parity. The word has retained its core sense of mutual likeness since its earliest recorded uses.
Related word forms
How comparable is actually used
Standard register across British and American English. In careful usage, 'comparable to' suggests things are similar enough to liken, while 'comparable with' suggests they can be checked against each other for differences; in practice the two are often interchangeable. Stress falls on the first syllable in both varieties, though American pronunciation lengthens the first vowel.
Easily confused with comparable
Comparative means measured or judged by comparison (or is the grammatical form like 'bigger'), whereas comparable simply means able to be compared or roughly equivalent.