Standard Lemma guide

comprehensiveness

noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • General-American: /kɑmpɹɪˈhɛnsɪvnəs/
  • Received-Pronunciation: /kɒmpɹɪˈhɛnsɪvnəs/

1

noun

Meaning 1

The state of being comprehensive.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: extensiveness

2

noun

Meaning 2

the capacity to understand a broad range of topics

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • a teacher must have a breadth of knowledge of the subject
  • a man distinguished by the largeness and scope of his views

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: breadth, largeness

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: intelligence

Narrower terms: capaciousness, roominess

3

noun

Meaning 3

completeness over a broad scope

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: fullness

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: completeness

History

Etymology

Etymology tree English comprehensive Proto-Germanic *-inōną Proto-Indo-European *-dyé- Proto-Germanic *-atjaną Proto-Indo-European *-tus Proto-Germanic *-þuz Proto-Germanic *-assuz Proto-Germanic *-inassuz Proto-West Germanic *-nassī Old English -nes Middle English -nesse English -ness English comprehensiveness From comprehensive + -ness.