conservative
conservative Lexical Profile
conservative Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Averse to rapid change or innovation and holding traditional values and attitudes.
"Her parents hold very conservative views regarding marriage and family life."
(in a political context) Favoring free enterprise, private ownership, and socially traditional ideas.
"The candidate appealed to conservative voters by promising lower taxes and reduced government regulation."
(of an estimate or calculation) Purposely low for the sake of caution or to avoid overstatement.
"At a conservative estimate, the renovations will cost at least fifty thousand dollars."
(of dress or taste) Restrained, classic, and unobtrusive in style.
"He wore a conservative dark suit and tie for his interview at the law firm."
• noun
A person who is averse to rapid change and holds traditional values and attitudes, especially in politics.
"Fiscal conservatives in the legislature argued strongly for a balanced federal budget."
• Rhymes for conservative
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 14th century from Old French conservatif or directly from Medieval Latin conservativus ('tending to preserve'), from Latin conservatus, past participle of conservare ('to keep, preserve, keep intact'). The political sense emerged in the 1830s in Britain to describe the Tory Party.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.