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comprehensive

/ˌkɒmprɪˈhɛnsɪv/
adjective★Intermediate💡 complete and thorough
formal

Including all or nearly all elements or aspects of something.

The university offers a comprehensive range of courses.

The university provides a wide variety of courses covering many subjects.

She gave a comprehensive overview of the project's progress.

She explained all key points of the project's progress in detail.

💡

Often used to describe plans, reports, or studies that cover all necessary parts.

formal

Understanding or grasping something fully.

His comprehensive understanding of the subject impressed the panel.

His deep and complete grasp of the subject amazed the panel.

💡

Used to describe a person's deep knowledge or understanding.

Collocations

comprehensive reviewa detailed examination of somethingcomprehensive plana detailed strategy covering all aspectscomprehensive insuranceinsurance that covers a wide range of risks

Synonyms

thoroughcompleteexhaustiveall-inclusivefull-scale

Antonyms

incompletepartiallimitedsuperficial

💡Pro Tip

Avoid redundancy

Don't use 'completely comprehensive'—'comprehensive' already implies completeness. Similarly, 'very comprehensive' is unnecessary.

⚡Gold Rule

Use for thoroughness

Use 'comprehensive' when something covers all aspects of a topic, not just most of them.

📖Word Origin

From Latin *comprehensivus*, from *comprehendere* meaning 'to grasp together' (com- 'together' + prehendere 'to seize'). Entered English in the mid-17th century.

📝Usage Notes

Used to emphasize that something covers all necessary parts without omission. Common in academic, business, and technical contexts.

Word Breakdown

com-
together, with
prefix
+
prehens-
to grasp
root
+
-ive
having the quality of
suffix
English Dictionary

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