Noncomparable

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Having characteristics that prevent a valid comparison with others
2. Lacking a basis for evaluation alongside similar objects or entities due to inherent differences
3. Not capable of being fairly or properly compared with others because of unique or differing features

Etymology: "Noncomparable" is simply the prefix "non-" attached to "comparable," meaning "not able to be compared." "Comparable" itself comes from the Latin "comparabilis," built from "comparare," to match or pair up, and it reached English through Old French. Attaching "non-," the Latin negating prefix, to an existing English adjective is a routine way of forming a word, so the new term is essentially a plain negation of "comparable" rather than a separate coinage with its own story. The practical effect is that "noncomparable" describes things that share no common measure, so setting them side by side makes no sense. Its meaning follows directly from its two parts, with no shift from an earlier sense.

Synonyms: incomparable, unique

Antonyms: comparable, similar