Definition of 'comprehensive'

comprehensive

(kɒmprɪhensɪv )

Word forms: plural comprehensives

1. adjective

Something that is comprehensive includes everything that is needed or relevant.

The Rough Guide to Nepal is a comprehensive guide to the region.

Synonyms: broad, full, complete, wide More Synonyms of comprehensive

2. countable noun

In Britain, a comprehensive is a state secondary school in which children of all abilities are taught together.

...Birmingham's inner-city comprehensives.

She taught French at Cheam Comprehensive in South London.

Comprehensive is also an adjective.

He left comprehensive school at the age of 16.

...Rushcliffe Comprehensive School.

Video: pronunciation of
comprehensive

comprehensive in British English

(ˌkɒmprɪˈhɛnsɪv )

adjective

of broad scope or content; including all or much

(of a car insurance policy) providing protection against most risks, including third-party liability, fire, theft, and damage

having the ability to understand

of, relating to, or being a comprehensive school

noun

5. short for comprehensive school

Derived forms

comprehensively (ˌcompreˈhensively)

adverb

comprehensiveness (ˌcompreˈhensiveness)

noun

comprehensive in American English

(ˌkɑmprəˈhɛnsɪv )

adjective

dealing with all or many of the relevant details; including much; inclusive

a comprehensive survey

able to comprehend fully

a comprehensive mind

of or designating property insurance that covers a number of risks in the same policy

noun

4. [usually pl.]

an examination in a major field of study that a graduate, or sometimes undergraduate, student must pass to receive a degree

: in full comprehensive examination

Derived forms

comprehensively (ˌcompreˈhensively)

adverb

comprehensiveness (ˌcompreˈhensiveness)

noun

Word origin

LL comprehensivus

comprehensive in Insurance

(kɒmprɪhɛnsɪv)

adjective

(Insurance: Vehicle insurance)

A comprehensive motor insurance policy provides protection against most risks, including third-party liability, fire, theft, and damage.

COLLOCATIONS: ~ insurance~ policy~ coverage

Comprehensive coverage protects against damage to your automobile from acts of nature or other events not associated with operating the automobile.

The comprehensive policy covers damage to the policyholder's car not resulting from a collision with another car and theft.

A comprehensive motor insurance policy provides protection against most risks, including third-party liability, fire, theft, and damage.

Examples of 'comprehensive' in a sentence
comprehensive

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At present some comprehensives are neighbourhood schools.If you do not have a comprehensive policy, you must pay for the repairs to your car yourself.His win, like his education policy, was comprehensive but the bar is set low for him.He has promised to outline plans to revive the chain's fortunes when he delivers a comprehensive review in November.There is the purchase price and other things such as fully comprehensive insurance.They are due to attend comprehensive school this year.These add up to a comprehensive list of intelligent behaviours.It is essential that a comprehensive policy is put in place as quickly as possible.They will have to wait until the comprehensive spending review.This is the first comprehensive look at him.