conservative

The definition of conservative is favoring older, known traditions and resisting any changes.

(adjective)

An example of conservative is preferring laws to stay the same.

Conservative is defined as a type of statement that is safe or moderate.

(adjective)

An example of conservative is an estimate of how much time a job will take.

A conservative is defined as someone in a political party that opposes big government and supports traditional family structures.

(noun)

An example of a conservative is former president, George W. Bush.

YourDictionary definition and usage example. Copyright © 2013 by LoveToKnow Corp.

See conservative in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

  1. conserving or tending to conserve; preservative
  2. tending to preserve established traditions or institutions and to resist or oppose any changes in these: conservative politics, conservative art
  3. of or characteristic of a conservative
  4. designating or of the major political party of Great Britain or the similar one in Canada that is characterized by conservative positions on social and economic issues
  5. ☆ moderate; cautious; safe: a conservative estimate
  6. Judaism designating or of a movement that accepts traditional forms and religious ritual that have been adapted to modern life with moderation and flexibility

Origin: OFr conservatif < LL conservativus

noun

  1. Archaic a preservative
  2. a conservative person
  3. a member of the Conservative Party of Great Britain or of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada

Related Forms:

See conservative in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective
  1. Favoring traditional views and values; tending to oppose change.
  2. Traditional or restrained in style: a conservative dark suit.
  3. Moderate; cautious: a conservative estimate.
  4. a. Of or relating to the political philosophy of conservatism.
    b. Belonging to a conservative party, group, or movement.
  5. Conservative Of or belonging to the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom or the Progressive Conservative Party in Canada.
  6. Conservative Of or adhering to Conservative Judaism.
  7. Tending to conserve; preservative: the conservative use of natural resources.
noun
  1. One favoring traditional views and values.
  2. A supporter of political conservatism.
  3. Conservative A member or supporter of the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom or the Progressive Conservative Party in Canada.
  4. Archaic A preservative agent or principle.

Related Forms:

  • con·serˈva·tive·ly adverb
  • con·serˈva·tive·ness noun

Learn more about conservative

link/cite print suggestion box