relative · noun C /ˈrel.ət̬.ɪv/Full view
Nouns: relation, relations, relationship, relative
Adjectives: related, unrelated, relative
Verbs: relate
Adverbs: relatively
relative
B1 a member of your family
Dictionary examples:

All of these people are my relatives.

There was a party for friends and relatives.

All her close/distant relatives came to the wedding.

Learner example:

After that there'll be a big party with all your relatives and friends. (Preliminary English Test; B1; German)

relative · adjective /ˈrel.ət̬.ɪv/
Nouns: relation, relations, relationship, relative
Adjectives: related, unrelated, relative
Verbs: relate
Adverbs: relatively
relative
C1 being judged or measured in comparison with something else
Dictionary examples:

the relative prosperity of the West

We weighed up the relative advantages of driving there or going by train.

Learner example:

In order to [make] myself clear, let me tell you that as an individual I consider myself a dreamer and in the transition from my late teens to my relative maturity I've considered the words of Hesse in his novel "Gertrude": "The difference between our youth and maturity is that in the first stage we are selfish in all our feelings and actions, while in maturity our top priority is everyon[e] else but [ourselves]..." (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Spanish)

relative to sth
C2 when compared to something else
Dictionary example:

The economy has been declining relative to other countries.

Learner example:

This seems true at first sight but when one takes into account the different sizes of population, it becomes clear that every country is more or less equally successful relative to its population. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; German)

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