conservative

/kənˈsɜː.və.tɪv/ (bre, ipa) · [kənsˈɚvətɪv] /kənˈsɝː.və.t̬ɪv/ (ame, ipa) · [kənsˈɚvətɪv] /kən-ˈsər-və-tiv/ (ame, mw)

conservative — adjective

  • conservativepositive
  • more conservativecomparative
  • most conservativesuperlative

1. describes a person who prefers to keep things as they are, avoiding new ideas or

1.形容詞B1
釋義

describes a person who prefers to keep things as they are, avoiding new ideas or sudden shifts in how things are done.

例句

Eitan's conservative parents refused to let him travel alone before he turned eighteen.

The university kept its conservative admissions rules unchanged for over fifty years.

同義詞
  • traditional

    neutral; simply describes following customs from the past

  • old-fashioned

    mildly negative; behind the times, out of date

  • reactionary

    strongly negative; actively fighting against all progress

  • hidebound

    formal or literary; narrow-minded and unwilling to change

反義詞
  • progressive

    actively supports new ideas and social reform

  • radical

    wants fundamental, far-reaching change

  • liberal

    open to new ideas and different ways of living

文法句型

conservative about + noun/gerund

conservative in + noun (outlook, taste, habits)

用法筆記

Describes a personal outlook or temperament, not a political party label. For the political meaning, see sense 4.

常見錯誤

❌My grandfather is very conservative to try new foods.
✅My grandfather is very conservative about trying new foods.
💡the adjective takes 'about' + gerund, not 'to' + infinitive.

2. describes clothes, styles, or personal presentation that are traditional and mod

2.形容詞B2
釋義

describes clothes, styles, or personal presentation that are traditional and modest, without bright colours, unusual cuts, or fashionable trends.

例句

Rodrigo wore a conservative grey suit and plain white shirt to the interview.

The bank asked all tellers to dress in a conservative manner.

同義詞
  • conventional

    neutral; follows what most people accept as normal

  • understated

    positive; elegant and not drawing attention to itself

  • modest

    emphasises covering the body and not showing off

  • subdued

    describes colours or patterns that are soft, not bright or loud

反義詞
  • daring

    bold and willing to stand out

  • flashy

    designed to attract attention, often in a showy way

  • trendy

    following the latest fashion

文法句型

conservative in + dress/taste/style/manner

3. describes a number, guess, or calculation that is deliberately kept lower than t

3.形容詞B2
釋義

describes a number, guess, or calculation that is deliberately kept lower than the likely real figure, so that the actual result will almost certainly match or beat it.

例句

The builder gave a conservative estimate of six months for the kitchen work.

conservative estimate — common collocation

Takeshi made a conservative guess about his exam results and later scored much higher.

同義詞
  • cautious

    general carefulness; wider range of uses beyond numbers

  • moderate

    not extreme in size or amount

  • prudent

    wise and careful, especially about future risks

反義詞
  • optimistic

    expecting the best possible result

  • inflated

    deliberately made higher than the true figure

  • generous

    giving a higher number than strictly needed

文法句型

conservative + estimate/guess/calculation/figure/forecast

用法筆記

Almost always used before a noun such as estimate, guess, calculation, or figure. Not used to describe a person's character.

常見錯誤

❌The costs were far above our conservative estimation.
✅The costs were far above our conservative estimate.
💡'estimate' is the standard noun here; 'estimation' usually means 'opinion' or 'judgment.'

4. connected with or backing a political party that favours free markets, low taxes

4.形容詞B2
釋義

connected with or backing a political party that favours free markets, low taxes, and traditional social values — most often the Conservative Party in Britain or a similar party elsewhere.

例句

Liam campaigned for the Conservative candidate in the last general election.

Conservative candidate — political collocation

The newspaper is known for its conservative stance on tax and immigration.

同義詞
  • right-wing

    broader political term, not tied to a specific party

  • Tory

    informal UK term for the Conservative Party

  • Republican

    US equivalent; supports the Republican Party

反義詞
  • left-wing

    supports social equality and government action to achieve it

  • Labour

    UK term; supports the Labour Party

  • liberal

    in US politics, supports progressive policies and social reform

文法句型

Conservative + party/government/MP/voter/candidate

用法筆記

Often capitalised (Conservative) when naming a specific party. Distinguish from sense 1, which describes personal reluctance to change rather than a political stance.

常見錯誤

❌She is Conservative Party.
✅She is a Conservative.' or 'She supports the Conservative Party.
💡as a noun, say 'a Conservative'; as an adjective before a noun, say 'Conservative voter' or 'Conservative MP.'

conservative — noun