conservative

Pluralconservatives, Conservatives

1. 1
   right of centeradjective

   Holding traditional views about government spending, politics, society, or a mix of them.

   My uncle is very conservative and always votes for lower taxes.

   Rural areas in the state tend to be more conservative than the cities.

   UsagePeople say fiscally conservative (about money) and socially conservative (about how people live).

   Similarright-wing

   Oppositeliberal, progressive, left-wing

   Note
2. 2
   nouncountable

   A person who wants to keep traditional ideas and ways of doing things, especially in politics.

   As a conservative, she believes strong families and churches hold society together.

   The new law angered conservatives, who said it attacked family values.

   UsageWith a small c, a conservative is a person with these views; a Conservative with a capital belongs to or supports a party.

   Similartraditionalist

   Oppositeprogressive

   Note
3. 3
   British partyadjectiveBritish

   Having to do with the Conservative Party in Britain.

   She voted for the Conservative candidate in her town.

   The Conservative leader gave a speech in Manchester.

   UsageUse a capital C: a Conservative government.

   SimilarTory

   Note
4. 4
   cautiousadjective

   Careful, and not using too much or going too far.

   She took a conservative approach and saved most of her money.

   He made a conservative bet of only five dollars.

   Similarcautious, moderate, careful, prudent

   Oppositebold, aggressive

5. 5
   noun · ConservativeBritishCanadacountable

   Someone who belongs to or supports a Conservative Party, for example in Britain or Canada.

   Her grandfather in London was a Conservative all his life.

   The Conservatives won the most seats in Britain's last election.

   UsageOne person is a Conservative. The party is the Conservatives.

   Note
6. 6
   set in waysadjective

   Not liking change or new ways of doing things.

   My grandpa is too conservative to try new foods.

   The school is slow to change because its leaders are very conservative.

   Similarhidebound

   Oppositeprogressive, innovative, radical

7. 7
   adjective

   Worked out carefully to be on the safe side, so the number is usually on the low side.

   By a conservative count, about two hundred people came to the fair.

   Even with conservative numbers, the plan will make money.

   UsageOften in a conservative estimate or a conservative count.

   Similarcautious, low

   Oppositeoptimistic

   Note
8. 8
   plain lookadjective

   Of clothes or looks: plain and traditional, not wild, loud or trendy.

   He wore a conservative gray suit to the interview.

   Her parents like conservative clothes, so she covered her tattoos at dinner.

   Similarconventional, traditional, sober, understated, restrained

   Oppositeflashy, loud, showy, trendy

   Note
9. 9
   no surgeryadjective

   Treating an injury or illness without an operation.

   The doctor tried conservative treatment, like rest and ice, before thinking about surgery.

   Her back pain got better with conservative care, so she never needed surgery.

   UsageDoctors say conservative treatment for care without an operation. They contrast it with surgical treatment.

   Similarnonsurgical, noninvasive

   Oppositesurgical, invasive

   Note
10. 10
    Jewish branchadjective

    Having to do with Conservative Judaism, one branch of the Jewish religion.

    They go to a Conservative synagogue near their home.

    The family is Conservative, not Orthodox.

    UsageUse a capital C: a Conservative synagogue.

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