compare
gb/kəmpˈɛɹ/ us/kəmpˈɛɹ/
B1
English
~ 900
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
Examine similarities and differences
To look at two or more things to see how they are the same or different.
Usage pattern:
to compare [something] with/to [something]
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.
Synonyms
contrast (Focuses more on highlighting differences rather than both similarities and differences.)
Antonyms
ignore (Not paying attention to similarities or differences between things.)
Collocations
compare notes
|compare results
|compare prices
|compare data
Themes
analysis
|communication
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The report compares the performance of different schools.
- I compared the two phones before making a decision.
- 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.
- Please compare your answer with mine.
- We compared two maps of the city.
- She compared her shoes to his shoes.
- They compared the old car with the new car.
Verb
B2
action
2
Describe as similar to
To say that something is like something else.
Usage pattern:
to compare [something] to [something]
Common mistake:
Some learners use 'compare with' when they mean 'compare to' for showing similarity, which can sound unnatural in some contexts.
Synonyms
liken (More formal; often used in literary or descriptive contexts.)
Antonyms
differentiate (To emphasize differences instead of similarities.)
Collocations
often compared to
|be compared to
|compare favorably to
Themes
communication
|description
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She compared his voice to velvet.
- The critic compared the new movie to a classic.
- 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.
- She compared his hair to gold.
- 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.
Verb
B2
state
3
Be equal in quality
To be as good as something else.
Usage pattern:
to compare with/to [something] in [quality/performance]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this sense with the act of examining similarities and differences; here it means 'to be equal or better'.
Synonyms
match (Suggests being equal in quality, ability, or value.)
Antonyms
fall short (To not be as good as something else.)
Collocations
favorably compare with
|cannot compare with
|does not compare
Themes
evaluation
|competition
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- No other singer can compare with her talent.
- This year's sales don't compare with last year's record.
- 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.
- Her dress does not compare to yours.
- No other phone compares with this one.
- The movie does not compare with the book.
- Nothing compares to a warm bed.
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.