considerably

considerably — adverb

1. by an amount that is large enough to be clearly noticed or to make a meaningful

1.adverbB2
Definition

by an amount that is large enough to be clearly noticed or to make a meaningful difference

Example

The new treatment worked considerably better than the old one, and patients recovered faster.

considerably + comparative adjective (better)

Samir found that the leather sofa was considerably more expensive than the fabric model.

considerably + comparative adjective (more expensive)

Common collocations
  • considerably better
  • considerably more/less
  • considerably different
  • considerably larger/smaller
  • considerably higher/lower
  • considerably reduced/cut
Synonyms
  • significantly

    more common in formal and academic writing; the closest in meaning

  • substantially

    stronger emphasis on size or quantity; common in business and technical contexts

  • markedly

    focuses on how noticeable the difference is; more formal

  • noticeably

    stresses the ability to perceive the difference with senses

Antonyms
  • slightly

    to a small degree; the opposite of 'large amount'

  • marginally

    by an amount so small it barely matters; formal

Grammar Patterns

considerably + comparative adjective/adverb

verb + considerably

Usage Note

Considerably is almost always placed before a comparative adjective or adverb (considerably better, considerably more difficult) or after a verb of change (increased considerably, changed considerably). It cannot modify a base/positive adjective: ❌ a considerably good performance — use much or far instead.

Common Mistakes

This phone is considerably good.
This phone is considerably better than my old one.
considerably modifies comparatives only, not base adjectives.
It was a considerably important meeting.
It was a considerably more important meeting than last week's.
use considerably before comparatives (more/less/-er), not before base adjectives.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

These four adverbs all describe a large degree, but differ in nuance and register. Significantly is the most versatile and common across all contexts — it works in both casual and formal writing, and carries a hint of importance. Substantially is heavier, focusing on size or quantity rather than importance; it is common in business, science, and finance ('profits rose substantially'). Markedly draws attention to how clear the difference is, often implying a visible contrast ('markedly different approach'). Noticeably stresses that the change can be perceived by the senses ('noticeably warmer'). Considerably sits in the middle — less formal than markedly or substantially, more precise than much, and found in everyday and semi-formal contexts. Use considerably for general comparisons; switch to significantly for important effects, substantially for big numbers, and markedly for visible contrasts.

significantly ↗substantially ↗markedlynoticeably ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • considerably better
  • considerably more expensive
  • considerably less
  • considerably different
  • considerably larger / smaller
  • considerably higher / lower
  • considerably reduced / cut
  • increased considerably
  • improved considerably
  • changed considerably

Etymology

LatinMiddle FrenchEnglish

Considerably was formed in English around the 1600s by adding the adverb suffix -ly to considerable (meaning 'large or important enough to be thought about carefully'). The root goes back to Latin considerare, which originally meant 'to look at closely, to observe the stars' — from con- (with, together) and sidus (star, constellation). The idea was that ancient observers would study the stars carefully before making judgments, and over time the meaning shifted from 'to examine' to 'to think about', and then to something 'worthy of being thought about' (considerable).