compare
gb/kəmpˈɛɹ/ us/kəmpˈɛɹ/
B1
English
~ 900
összehasonlít, hasonlít, felér
VERB
B1
1
Usage pattern:
to compare [something] with/to [something]
The report compares the performance of different schools.
A jelentés összehasonlítja a különböző iskolák teljesítményét.
I compared the two phones before making a decision.
Összehasonlítottam a két telefont, mielőtt döntöttem.
We should compare our answers to make sure they match.
Prices in this store don't compare well with those online.
The teacher asked us to compare the two poems.
Learner examples
I compared my homework with my friend's work.
Összehasonlítottam a házi feladatomat a barátoméval.
Please compare your answer with mine.
Kérlek, hasonlítsd össze a válaszodat az enyémmel.
We compared two maps of the city.
She compared her shoes to his shoes.
They compared the old car with the new car.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes mix up 'compare to' and 'compare with'. Use 'compare to' for showing similarity, and 'compare with' for examining both similarities and differences.
Meaning
Examine similarities and differences
Collocations
compare notes
|compare results
|compare prices
|compare data
Synonyms
contrast (Focuses more on highlighting differences rather than both similarities and differences.)
Antonyms
ignore (Not paying attention to similarities or differences between things.)
Themes
analysis
|communication
|education
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To look at two or more things to see how they are the same or different.
To examine two or more things to identify their similarities and differences.
VERB
B2
2
hasonlít
B1
Usage pattern:
to compare [something] to [something]
She compared his voice to velvet.
A hangját bársonyhoz hasonlította.
The critic compared the new movie to a classic.
A kritikus egy klasszikushoz hasonlította az új filmet.
Many people compare life to a journey.
He was often compared to his famous father.
The painting has been compared to works by Monet.
Learner examples
I compare my town to a big garden.
A városomat egy nagy kerthez hasonlítom.
She compared his hair to gold.
A haját aranyhoz hasonlította.
They compared the new game to the old one.
He compared her smile to the sun.
The teacher compared the story to a fairy tale.
Common mistake:
Some learners use 'compare with' when they mean 'compare to' for showing similarity, which can sound unnatural in some contexts.
Meaning
Describe as similar to
Collocations
often compared to
|be compared to
|compare favorably to
Synonyms
liken (More formal; often used in literary or descriptive contexts.)
Antonyms
differentiate (To emphasize differences instead of similarities.)
Themes
communication
|description
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To say that something is like something else.
To say that one thing is like another in some way.
VERB
B2
3
felér
B2
Usage pattern:
to compare with/to [something] in [quality/performance]
No other singer can compare with her talent.
Egyetlen más énekes tehetsége sem ér fel az övéhez.
This year's sales don't compare with last year's record.
Az idei eladások nem érnek fel a tavalyi rekordhoz.
The hotel doesn't compare to the one we stayed in before.
Few players can compare with him in skill.
Nothing compares to a home-cooked meal.
Learner examples
This pizza cannot compare with my mother's pizza.
Ez a pizza nem ér fel anyukám pizzájához.
Her dress does not compare to yours.
Az ő ruhája nem ér fel a tiédhez.
No other phone compares with this one.
The movie does not compare with the book.
Nothing compares to a warm bed.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this sense with the act of examining similarities and differences; here it means 'to be equal or better'.
Meaning
Be equal in quality
Collocations
favorably compare with
|cannot compare with
|does not compare
Synonyms
match (Suggests being equal in quality, ability, or value.)
Antonyms
fall short (To not be as good as something else.)
Themes
evaluation
|competition
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To be as good as something else.
To be as good, impressive, or effective as something else.
Grammar
Dictionary form
compare
IPA
GB/kəmpˈɛɹ/
US/kəmpˈɛɹ/
Syllables & stress
com - pare (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (pare)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: compare
- 3rd Person Singular: compares
- Present Participle: comparing
- Past: compared
Word family
Forms
compares
verb
comparing
verb
compared
verb
Core family
Related words
comparatively
adverb B1
Negative and opposite forms
incomparable
adjective
Advanced or less common
comparability
noun
incomparably
adverb
Expressions
beyond compare
1/bɪjˈɔnd kəmpˈɛɹ/
fixed phrase
formal
Exceptionally good or unique
So good that nothing else is as good.
Examples
- Her beauty was beyond compare.
- The chef's skill is beyond compare.
compare notes
1/kəmpˈɛɹ nˈoʊts/
idiom
Share and discuss information
To talk with someone about what you each know or have seen, usually to find similarities or differences.
Examples
- After the meeting, the colleagues compared notes on what was discussed.
- The witnesses met later to compare notes about the accident.
nothing compares to
1/nˈʌθɪŋ kəmpˈɛɹz tə/
fixed phrase
Nothing is equally good
Used to say that something is the best or most enjoyable thing.
Examples
- Nothing compares to a sunny day at the beach.
- For me, nothing compares to fresh bread from the oven.