kəmˈpæɹ.ə.tɪv ɹɪˈleɪʃən ˈɹɛl.ə.tɪv ˈɹɛl.ə.tɪv estimated by comparison; not absolute or complete a relative stranger properly related in size or degree or other measurable characteristics; usually followed by ‘to’ the punishment ought to be proportional to the crime earnings relative to production an animal or plant that bears a relationship to another (as related by common descent or by membership in the same genus) a person related by blood or marriage police are searching for relatives of the deceased he has distant relations back in New Jersey