Definition of conservative in English:
conservative
See synonyms for conservativeTranslate conservative into Spanish
adjective
1Averse to change or innovation and holding traditional values.
- ‘they were very conservative in their outlook’
traditionalist, traditional, conventional, orthodox, stable, old-fashioned, dyed-in-the-wool, unchanging, hideboundView synonyms- 1.1(of dress or taste) sober and conventional.
- ‘a conservative suit’
conventional, sober, quiet, modest, plain, unobtrusive, unostentatious, restrained, reserved, subdued, subtle, low-key, demureView synonyms
2(in a political context) favoring free enterprise, private ownership, and socially traditional ideas.
Often contrasted with liberal (sense 1 of the adjective)right-wing, traditionalist, reactionary, establishmentarianView synonyms- 2.1Relating to the Conservative Party in the UK or a similar party elsewhere.
- ‘the Conservative government’
- 2.1Relating to the Conservative Party in the UK or a similar party elsewhere.
3(of an estimate) purposely low for the sake of caution.
- ‘the film was not cheap—$30,000 is a conservative estimate’
low, cautious, understated, unexaggerated, moderate, reasonableView synonyms4(of surgery or medical treatment) intended to control rather than eliminate a condition, with existing tissue preserved as far as possible.
Pronunciation
noun
1A person who is averse to change and holds traditional values.
- ‘he was considered a conservative in his approach to Catholic teachings’
right-winger, rightist, reactionary, diehardView synonyms2A person favoring free enterprise, private ownership, and socially traditional ideas.
Often contrasted with liberal (noun)- ‘many conservatives remain opposed to mandates’
- 2.1A supporter or member of the Conservative Party in the UK or a similar party elsewhere.
Pronunciation
Origin
Late Middle English (in the sense ‘aiming to preserve’): from late Latin conservativus, from conservat- ‘conserved’, from the verb conservare (see conserve). Current senses date from the mid 19th century.
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