1. Considered relative to something known, mentioned, or expected: "I passed the test with comparative ease."
2. Based on using different things in the investigation of something to see if they are the same or different from each other: "Shirley was studying the various roles of women in several cultures."
3. In grammar a form of expressing an increase; for example, a description in the the form of an adjective or adverb that presents an increase in quality, quantity, or degree: "Examples of comparative grammatical words include, quicker, more importantly, better, sweeter, softly, and more favorable."