conservatives
conservatives — adjective
- conservativespositive
- more conservativescomparative
- most conservativessuperlative
1. having a tendency to resist sudden changes and prefer keeping existing systems,
having a tendency to resist sudden changes and prefer keeping existing systems, beliefs, or ways of doing things rather than adopting new ones.
Mei's grandfather is very conservative and still uses a flip phone instead of a smartphone.
collocation: very conservative + still uses old technology
The school board took a conservative approach and kept the old reading programme.
Conservative residents of the village voted against installing solar panels on the rooftops.
Fatima's parents are socially conservative and expect her to follow family traditions.
- traditional
focuses on following established customs rather than resisting change in general
- conventional
suggests conformity to accepted social norms, slightly more neutral than conservative
- progressive
actively welcomes and promotes social change
- liberal
open to new ideas and willing to reform existing systems
用法筆記
Common in discussions of social attitudes, family values, and institutional decision-making. Often paired with modifiers such as 'socially', 'culturally', 'deeply', 'fiercely'.
常見錯誤
2. describing clothes, hairstyles, or appearance that avoid fashionable or modern e
describing clothes, hairstyles, or appearance that avoid fashionable or modern elements and instead follow traditional, unshowy norms of taste.
Kenji wore a conservative grey suit and a plain tie to the job interview.
collocation: conservative + suit / dress code
The company dress code is quite conservative and does not permit visible tattoos.
Sofia chose a conservative haircut with no bright colours or unusual shapes.
For the wedding Nia picked a conservative navy dress with a high neckline.
- traditional
broader term for following customs; not limited to appearance
- classic
positive connotation of timeless elegance rather than avoidance of fashion
用法筆記
Describes appearance choices (clothing, hairstyle, makeup). The opposite is 'trendy', 'fashionable', or 'flashy'. Usually appears before the noun it modifies.
3. used to describe a number, guess, or decision that is deliberately set lower tha
used to describe a number, guess, or decision that is deliberately set lower than the likely real amount in order to avoid the risk of exaggerating.
A conservative estimate puts the crowd at around three thousand people.
fixed phrase: conservative estimate
The builder gave a conservative price quote to avoid going over the budget.
Even by conservative calculations the new library will cost two million dollars.
We made a conservative guess of two hours for the drive through the city.
用法筆記
Nearly always appears before a noun describing a numerical judgement: 'estimate', 'guess', 'calculation', 'projection', 'figure'. The phrase 'at a conservative estimate' is a common fixed expression.
常見錯誤
4. describing a political approach that champions free enterprise, low taxes, tradi
describing a political approach that champions free enterprise, low taxes, traditional social norms, and restrained government involvement in the economy.
The conservative candidate promised to lower taxes for small business owners.
subject: conservative candidate + noun for party member
Amir reads several conservative newspapers to understand their point of view.
Conservative parties across Europe have gained more seats in recent elections.
The country's conservative movement grew stronger after the economic crisis.
- right-wing
broader political term covering conservative and reactionary positions
- Republican
US-specific term for the party associated with conservative policies
- liberal
favours government intervention for social welfare
- progressive
actively promotes social and political reform
- left-wing
broad political term favouring equality and state intervention
用法筆記
When capitalised (Conservative Party), it refers to a specific named political party, especially in the UK. When uncapitalised, it describes the general political ideology. Common modifiers: 'fiscal conservative', 'social conservative'.
常見錯誤
conservatives — noun
- conservativessingular
- conservativesesplural
1. an individual whose political views align with a party promoting free enterprise
an individual whose political views align with a party promoting free enterprise, low taxation, traditional social values, and limited government involvement in the economy.
The conservatives won the general election with a majority of sixty seats.
often used in plural: conservatives + election context
Diego's father is a conservative who attends local party meetings every month.
Many conservatives believe the government should spend less on social programmes.
The debate between conservatives and liberals continued late into the night.
Young conservatives on campus organised a discussion group about free markets.
- right-winger
more informal term for someone with right-wing political views
- Tory
informal UK-specific term for a member or supporter of the Conservative Party
- liberal
someone who supports social equality and government intervention
- progressive
someone who actively advocates for reform and change
用法筆記
Countable noun. Often used in the plural form 'conservatives' as a collective group (e.g. 'the conservatives hold a majority'). The capitalised form 'a Conservative' refers to a member of a specific named party (especially the UK Conservative Party).
常見錯誤
2. someone who holds firmly to established methods and beliefs, showing little will
someone who holds firmly to established methods and beliefs, showing little willingness to try new ideas, modern technology, or unfamiliar approaches.
Chidi is a conservative when it comes to food and orders only dishes he knows.
pattern: a conservative when it comes to [topic]
The old conservatives in the village refused to install internet connections in their homes.
Keiko is a conservative about education and believes in traditional teaching methods.
Some conservatives in the art world disliked the new modern exhibition at the gallery.
- traditionalist
stronger emphasis on actively upholding tradition rather than just resisting change
- stick-in-the-mud
informal and mildly negative; implies stubborn refusal to try anything new
- innovator
someone who introduces new methods or ideas
- trendsetter
someone who starts and leads new fashions or practices
用法筆記
Often followed by 'about', 'in', or 'when it comes to' to specify the area of conservatism. Unlike the political sense, this meaning does not take a capital letter and can apply to any domain — cooking, music, parenting, technology, etc.