incomparable, uncomparable
- incomparable, uncomparable
Incomparable means (1) "unequaled" and "matchless" and (2) "incapable of being compared." Uncomparable shares the second of these meanings but not the first."Helen of Troy's beauty was said to have been incomparable." "Bananas and potatoes are uncomparable."
Incomparable is also a term applied to certain words that are considered absolute in meaning and that cannot be used in a comparative or superlative sense. Some students of language have turned incomparable into a noun and list as incomparables such words as UNIQUE. If one says "more unique" or "most unique," what becomes of this word that is used to designate the only one of a kind? If something is perfect, how can it be "more perfect"! A short list of incomparables would contain these words with absolute meaning: eternal, equal, final, total, supreme, infinite, absolute, and fatal.
Dictionary of problem words and expressions.
Harry Shaw.
1975.
Look at other dictionaries:
uncomparable — See incomparable. See incomparable, uncomparable … Dictionary of problem words and expressions
incomparable — See incomparable, uncomparable … Dictionary of problem words and expressions
uncomparable — late 14c., “incomparable,” from UN (Cf. un ) (1) “not” + COMPARABLE (Cf. comparable). Meaning “unable to be compared (to something else)” is from 1826. Related: Uncomparably … Etymology dictionary
uncomparable — adjective such that comparison is impossible; unsuitable for comparison or lacking features that can be compared an incomparable week of rest and pleasure the computer proceeds with its incomparable logic and efficiency this report is… … Useful english dictionary
incomparable — adjective a) So much better than another as to be beyond comparison; matchless or unsurpassed. I know of nothing in all drama more incomparable from the point of view of art, nothing more suggestive in its subtlety of observation, than… … Wiktionary
uncomparable — adjective a) Not able to be compared; not comparable. b) That cannot take the three degrees of comparison; not comparable. See Also: incomparable … Wiktionary
all-time — adjective unsurpassed in some respect up to the present (Freq. 1) prices at an all time high morale at an all time low among the all time great lefthanders • Similar to: ↑incomparable, ↑uncomparable * * * ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ … Useful english dictionary
one and only — adjective eminent beyond or above comparison matchless beauty the team s nonpareil center fielder she s one girl in a million the one and only Muhammad Ali a peerless scholar infamy unmatched in the Western world wrote with unmatchable clarity … Useful english dictionary
peerless — adjective eminent beyond or above comparison matchless beauty the team s nonpareil center fielder she s one girl in a million the one and only Muhammad Ali a peerless scholar infamy unmatched in the Western world wrote with unmatchable clarity … Useful english dictionary
unequaled — adjective radically distinctive and without equal he is alone in the field of microbiology this theory is altogether alone in its penetration of the problem Bach was unique in his handling of counterpoint craftsmen whose skill is unequaled… … Useful english dictionary
