rel·a·tive
ˈre-lə-tiv 
1
: introducing a subordinate clause qualifying an expressed or implied antecedent
a relative pronoun
also
: introduced by such a connective
a relative clause
3
: not absolute or independent : comparative
the relative isolation of life in the country
4
: having the same key signature
—used of major and minor keys and scales
5
: expressed as the ratio of the specified quantity (such as an error in measuring) to the total magnitude (such as the value of a measured quantity) or to the mean of all the quantities involved
Synonyms
Examples of relative in a Sentence
Noun
At the family reunion, I saw relatives I haven't seen in years.
He inherited a small piece of land from a distant relative.
The donkey is a relative of the horse.
Adjective
the relative value of two houses
the relative positions of the islands
We discussed the relative merits of each school.
“Who,” “whom,” “whose,” “which,” and “that” are all relative pronouns.
The phrase “that won” in “the book that won” is a relative clause.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
The temple, which has received donations from relatives of Harris, recently began construction on a new water storage tank, funded by a bank.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Brian Steinberg, Variety, 19 Nov. 2024
That’s an impressive accomplishment considering a relative lack of karate and the brief somber turn with Carmen’s health.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 15 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for relative 
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Noun
Are there any relatives or friends of his and his late wife who could visit him?
—Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
The temple, which has received donations from relatives of Harris, recently began construction on a new water storage tank, funded by a bank.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
The new cable vehicle could become an acquisition target, given its relative small heft in the broader media landscape.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 19 Nov. 2024
That’s an impressive accomplishment considering a relative lack of karate and the brief somber turn with Carmen’s health.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 15 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for relative
Articles Related to relative
Dictionary Entries Near relative
Cite this Entry
“Relative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relative. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
relative
1 of 2 noun
rel·a·tive
ˈrel-ət-iv
1
: a word referring grammatically to one that comes before it
2
: a person connected with another by blood or marriage
relative
2 of 2 adjective1
a
: introducing a subordinate clause that qualifies an expressed or implied antecedent
relative pronoun
b
: introduced by a word having such an antecedent
relative clause
3
: existing in comparison to something else
the relative value of two houses
4
: having the same key signature
—used of major and minor keys and scales
relativeness
noun
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