conservative

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA ^(key): /kənˈsɝvətɪv/
• (UK) IPA ^(key): /kənˈsɜːvətɪv/

• Audio (UK)

  (file)

• Hyphenation: con‧ser‧va‧tive

Adjective

Positive conservative

Comparative more conservative

Superlative most conservative

1. If a person is conservative, they do not like change.

   Latino families are thought to hold conservative and traditional views on family life.

   The idea of gays in the military was deeply unpopular in that socially conservative state.

2. A conservative estimate, guess, etc. is one that is careful, and usually lower than the actual number/amount.

   A very conservative estimate of the cost of delay is $6 per hour, but many believe that the true cost is much higher.

3. Conservative clothing, furniture, etc. is usually plain and similar to styles that have been common for a long time.

   He is conservative in a gray suit and red tie.

Synonyms

• traditional

Related words

• conserve
• conservatively
• conservation

Noun

Singular conservative

Plural conservatives

1. A person who likes things how they are now or how they used to be; a person who like the status quo; a person who does not like change.
2. (UK politics) A member of the Conservative Party.
3. (US economics) A fiscal conservative
4. (US politics) A political conservative
5. (US social sciences) A social conservative.
6. (Canada) (politics) A person who believes in conservatism.