relatively
Americanadverb
-
in a relative manner.
a relatively small difference.
-
Archaic.
-
with reference (usually followed byto ).
-
in proportion (usually followed byto ).
-
adverb
Etymology
Origin of relatively
Explanation
Use relatively when you want to make a statement about something compared to something else. After a zero degree day, 30 degrees might feel relatively warm. This adverb has to do with how things stack up next to each other. Relatively speaking, you could say you're tall if you're around very short people, even if you're just five five. Fat free ice cream is relatively healthy compared to other desserts, but it's still ice cream. If you've been sick for a week and you feel relatively better, you're feeling just a little better. This word only makes sense when you're comparing one thing to another.
Vocabulary lists containing relatively
Britain's Finest Hour Speech - Winston Churchill (1940)
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Florida's B.E.S.T. Common Suffixes: -ly
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"Shakespeare's Life"
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Placed in a relatively even group with Canada, Switzerland and Qatar, the final chapter of Dzeko's story as a player could be the beginning of a new one for his country.
From BBC • Jun. 12, 2026
"It was relatively easy for me to go and make a phone call and say we'd like to borrow this or like to borrow that," Santelli told AFP.
From Barron's • Jun. 12, 2026
Core inflation remains relatively contained, giving the Fed room to keep rates on hold for a while longer, he said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 12, 2026
“For me, it’s not just being Latino, it’s also the intersectionality of being relatively young, being first generation,” Santana said.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 12, 2026
Genes, phenotypes, selection, and evolution were bound together by cords of relatively basic laws—but it was easy to imagine that these laws could be misunderstood and distorted.
From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
