relative
relative — adjective
- relativepositive
- more relativecomparative
- most relativesuperlative
1. measured by comparing it with something else, rather than by looking at it on it
measured by comparing it with something else, rather than by looking at it on its own
Tyler tried to judge the relative size of the two apartments before choosing one.
relative + noun (size, value, cost)
The relative cost of living in different cities is something Bao considered before moving.
When you look at the relative performance of the two teams, the difference is small.
Zuri compared the relative strengths of the candidates before casting her vote.
The professor asked the class to discuss the relative importance of each factor.
- comparative
more formal and more narrowly tied to explicit comparison of two items
- proportional
emphasises a mathematical or direct ratio, while 'relative' is softer
- absolute
not dependent on comparison; measured on its own terms
文法句型
relative + noun
用法筆記
Typically used before a noun. The noun that follows is usually an abstract quality such as size, value, cost, or importance.
常見錯誤
2. existing or felt only to a limited degree when measured against a different situ
existing or felt only to a limited degree when measured against a different situation or standard; not complete or total
After weeks of heavy rain, the village enjoyed a period of relative calm.
relative + state noun (calm, peace, quiet)
Greta felt a sense of relative freedom once her final exams were over.
The country has enjoyed relative peace since the ceasefire agreement was signed.
The Watanabe family lives in relative comfort compared to many of their neighbours.
Esme found relative happiness in her new job after leaving the stressful one.
- comparative
can be used interchangeably in many contexts, though 'comparative' feels more analytical
- moderate
suggests a middle point on a fixed scale, not a comparison to something else
文法句型
relative + noun (of degree/state)
用法筆記
Always implies a contrast. The sense works because the reader understands the opposite — relative calm means the situation could be worse. Frequently paired with state nouns such as peace, calm, safety, comfort, and freedom.
常見錯誤
3. describes a pairing of one major and one minor key that use identical sharps and
describes a pairing of one major and one minor key that use identical sharps and flats in their key signature
C major has A minor as its relative minor key, since both use no sharps or flats.
relative minor / relative major pairing
The music teacher showed the class how to find the relative minor of any major scale.
Ilan practised moving between G major and its relative minor, E minor.
Understanding relative keys helps pianists switch smoothly between major and minor sections.
The piece begins in D major and shifts to its relative minor in the second movement.
- parallel
a different concept — parallel keys share the same tonic note, not the same key signature
文法句型
relative + minor/major
relative key
用法筆記
Used only in music theory contexts. The term 'relative' here is a fixed technical label — it is not describing a comparison in the ordinary sense.
常見錯誤
4. changing in amount, degree, or size according to changes in something else; dire
changing in amount, degree, or size according to changes in something else; directly linked to another factor
The amount of tax you pay is relative to your total income for the year.
be relative to [sth] — proportional linkage
The stress on the bridge is relative to the weight of the traffic crossing it.
In a free market, the price of goods is relative to the demand for them.
Shirin learned that the force needed to move the box is relative to its weight.
The difficulty of the mountain trail is relative to how much training you have done.
- proportional
more mathematical and exact; 'relative' is slightly softer and more common in everyday speech
- commensurate
more formal, typically used in formal or legal writing
- unrelated
not linked; changing independently
文法句型
be relative to [something]
用法筆記
Almost always appears after a linking verb (is, are, remains) and is followed by 'to'. Never placed before a noun in this sense — saying 'a relative tax amount' would mean something else (sense 1).
常見錯誤
5. connected with a particular subject, topic, or matter being discussed
connected with a particular subject, topic, or matter being discussed
The lawyer presented evidence that was relative to the case before the court.
evidence relative to [case/topic] — formal context
Benjamin could not see how the question was relative to the topic of the lecture.
Please provide all documents relative to your application for the scholarship.
The committee reviewed all data relative to the safety of the new design.
Meera raised several points relative to the environmental impact of the project.
- irrelevant
not connected to the subject at hand
文法句型
be relative to [topic/subject]
用法筆記
More formal than the everyday word 'relevant'. Common in legal, academic, and official documents. Always followed by 'to'. Distinguish from sense 4 — this sense is about topical connection, not proportional change.
常見錯誤
relative — noun
- relativesingular
- relativesplural
1. someone who belongs to the same family as you, through birth, marriage, or adopt
someone who belongs to the same family as you, through birth, marriage, or adoption
Zuri invited all her relatives to the wedding, including cousins from abroad.
relative — countable family member
Esme went to visit her elderly relatives in the countryside during the holiday.
Lucía has relatives living in Spain, Mexico, and Argentina.
The nursing home allows residents to receive visits from relatives at any time.
At the family reunion, Bao met relatives from his father's side for the first time.
- family member
more neutral and slightly more formal; used in official contexts
- relation
interchangeable with 'relative', though 'relative' is more common in everyday speech
- stranger
someone not connected by blood or marriage
文法句型
a relative
my/your/his relatives
用法筆記
Can describe both close family (parents, siblings, children) and extended family (cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents). If you want to specify closeness, use 'close relative' or 'distant relative'.