compare

1 verb

1 SIMILAR/DIFFERENT (T) to consider two or more things, people, ideas etc, in order to show how they are similar to or different from each other: The report compares the different types of home computer currently available. | compare sth to/with: There is nothing to compare with a nice cold drink when you get home after work. | compare and contrast (=an expression used when telling students to write about the similarities and differences in works of literature, or art)

2 compared to/with used when considering the size, quality, or amount of something in relation to something similar: Compared to our small apartment, our uncle's house seemed like a palace. | Statistics show a 20% reduction in burglary compared with last year.

3 LIKE/EQUALLY GOOD (T) to say that something or someone is like someone or something else, or that it is equally good, large etc: compare sth/sb to: You can't compare the war in Somalia to the Vietnam War.

4 does not compare if something or someone does not compare with something else, it is not as good, large etc: My old car was a real beauty. This one just doesn't compare.

5 BETTER/WORSE to be better or worse in some way than someone or something else

(+ with): How does life in Britain compare with life in the States? | compare favourably/unfavourably: The imported fabrics are 30% cheaper and compare very favorably in quality.

6 compare notes if two people compare notes, they talk about something they have both done, in order to see if they have the same opinions, ideas etc about it: The pair got together in Paris to compare notes on current research.

2 noun beyond /without compare literary a quality that is beyond compare is the best of its kind: a beauty and an elegance beyond compare