comprehensive
gb/kˌɑmpɹihˈɛnsɪv/ us/kˌɑmpɹihˈɛnsɪv/
B2
English
~ 2500
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
covering everything important
Including many or all parts of something.
Usage pattern:
a comprehensive [plan/report/study]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'comprehensive' with 'understandable'. It means 'complete and covering many parts', not 'easy to understand'.
Synonyms
thorough (Implies great attention to detail, but not always full scope.)
|
complete (Suggests nothing is missing, but may not stress detail as much.)
Antonyms
partial (Covers only part of something.)
|
incomplete (Missing some necessary parts or details.)
Collocations
comprehensive plan
|comprehensive study
|comprehensive list
|comprehensive coverage
|comprehensive review
Themes
education
|business
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The company conducted a comprehensive review of its safety procedures.
- We need a comprehensive plan to address climate change.
- This book provides a comprehensive overview of modern art.
- She offered a comprehensive explanation of the problem.
- The report gives a comprehensive analysis of the market trends.
Learner examples
- This is a comprehensive list of all the students.
- We made a comprehensive plan for the trip.
- The teacher gave us a comprehensive test.
- He wrote a comprehensive report about the city.
- The website has a comprehensive guide to cooking.
adjective
technical
B2
property
2
covering most risks in insurance
Insurance that pays for many types of damage or loss, not just a few.
Usage pattern:
comprehensive [insurance/coverage/policy]
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'comprehensive insurance' means 'cheap insurance'; it actually means broad coverage.
Synonyms
all-risk (Covers most possible causes of loss, though some exclusions may apply.)
Antonyms
third-party (Insurance that covers damage to others but not to your own property.)
Collocations
comprehensive insurance
|comprehensive coverage
|comprehensive policy
Themes
finance
|law
|business
Examples
- I decided to get comprehensive car insurance for better protection.
- Their policy offers comprehensive coverage for natural disasters.
- Comprehensive insurance usually costs more than basic plans.
Learner examples
- I have comprehensive car insurance.
- Comprehensive insurance is more expensive.
- He bought comprehensive health coverage.
Grammar
Dictionary form
comprehensive
IPA
GB/kˌɑmpɹihˈɛnsɪv/
US/kˌɑmpɹihˈɛnsɪv/
Syllables & stress
com - pre - hens - ive (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (hens)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: comprehensive
Word family
Core family
comprehensively
adverb
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
incomprehensible
adjective B2
Advanced or less common
comprehensiveness
noun
comprehensibility
noun
incomprehensibly
adverb
Expressions
comprehensive school
1/kˌɑmpɹihˈɛnsɪv skˈul/
fixed phrase
nonselective secondary school in UK
A school in the UK for students of all abilities, usually between ages 11 and 18.
Examples
- She attended a comprehensive school in Manchester.
- Comprehensive schools aim to provide equal education for all children.