Comprise — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /kəm-ˈprīz/ com·prise

Meaning & Definition of Comprise

Comprise (verb)

  1. to be made up of
  2. to make up or form, compose, constitute
  3. to include especially within a particular scope

Comprise (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to be made up of

    "the mall comprises three department stores and 80 smaller shops selling specialized goods"

    similar: consist (of), contain, muster
    related: comprehend, embrace, encompass, entail, include, involve, take in, assimilate, embody, incorporate

  2. to be all the substance of

    "at the time, about 100,000 fighting men and women comprised our military force in that country"

    similar: compose, constitute, form, make up
    related: embody, epitomize, incarnate, incorporate, integrate, materialize, personify, substantiate, complement, complete, supplement, fill (out), flesh (out)

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Comprise

The most common words with a similar meaning to Comprise:

consist (of), contain, muster, compose, constitute, form, make up

Related Words for Comprise

comprehend, embrace, encompass, entail, include, involve, take in, assimilate, embody, incorporate, epitomize, incarnate, integrate, materialize, personify, substantiate, complement, complete, supplement, fill (out), flesh (out)

Word Forms of Comprise

Inflections: comprised, comprising

Origin & Etymology of Comprise

Middle English, from Anglo-French compris, past participle of comprendre, from Latin comprehendere see comprehend

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Comprise

Frequently Asked Questions about Comprise

What does "Comprise" mean?

"Comprise" means to be made up of. As a verb, it is defined as: to be made up of. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Comprise"?

Other words for "Comprise" include consist (of), contain, muster, compose, constitute, form and make up. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Comprise" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Comprise"?

There are 28 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Comprise". Common alternatives include consist (of), contain, muster, compose, constitute, form and make up.

How do you use "Comprise" in a sentence?

Examples of "Comprise" in a sentence: "the mall comprises three department stores and 80 smaller shops selling specialized goods"; "at the time, about 100,000 fighting men and women comprised our military force in that country".

Is "Comprise" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Comprise" is a verb.

Is "Comprise" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Comprise" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Comprise"?

"Comprise" is pronounced /kəm-ˈprīz/ and divided into syllables as com·prise.

What is the origin of the word "Comprise"?

"Comprise" comes from Middle English, from Anglo-French compris, past participle of comprendre, from Latin comprehendere see comprehend. First known use: 15th century.