conservative

/kənˈsɜrvətɪv/
noun
  1. A person who holds traditional values and prefers gradual change, especially in politics.
    • As a conservative, she believes in limited government and personal responsibility.
    • Many conservatives support free-market economics.
    • The conservatives in the party voted against the new tax plan.
adjective
  1. Favoring traditional values, institutions, and gradual change; not wanting rapid or extreme reform.
    • My grandfather has very conservative views on education and discipline.
    • She comes from a conservative family that values tradition.
    • The newspaper is known for its conservative editorial stance.
  2. Tending to avoid risk or excess; cautious and moderate.
    • A conservative investor usually chooses safe, low-risk stocks.
    • He made a conservative estimate of the cost, so we wouldn't run out of money.
    • The doctor took a conservative approach, recommending rest before surgery.
  3. (of an estimate or guess) deliberately low or moderate; not exaggerated.
    • Even with a conservative estimate, the project will take at least six months.
    • The company gave a conservative forecast for next year's sales.
    • A conservative guess is that about 200 people attended the event.
What does "conservative" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean