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Meaning & use

comps

noun·Advancedinformal

Last updated

UK/kɒmps/
US/kɑːmps/

“comps” is a form of “comp”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meanings

  1. nounpluralinformal

    Free tickets, meals, or rooms given to someone, especially as a perk or for promotion.

    Grammar: Used as a plural noun; the singular is 'comp'.

    Patterns

    • get comps
    • give someone comps
    • comps to something

    The casino gave us comps for dinner and a show.

    Hotel guests with status often receive comps like free breakfast.

    She used her comps to take her family to the game.

  2. nounpluralbusinessfinance

    Comparable sales figures or similar companies used to judge value or performance.

    Grammar: Plural noun; often in phrases like 'comps are up' or 'check the comps'.

    Patterns

    • comps are up/down
    • check the comps
    • use comps to value something

    Retail comps rose 3% last quarter.

    Analysts looked at comps from similar firms before the IPO.

    The appraiser used recent comps to set the house price.

  3. nounpluralinformal

    Comprehensive examinations, especially at the end of a degree program.

    Grammar: Plural noun; usually with 'the' or a possessive: 'her comps'.

    Patterns

    • take comps
    • pass comps
    • study for comps

    He spent the summer studying for his comps.

    She passed her comps and started her dissertation.

    Comps are oral exams in some departments.

Word forms

singularcomp

Common combinations

comps are up
The company's comps are up 5% this year.
get comps
VIP guests often get comps at the casino.
pass comps
She studied hard to pass her comps.
use comps
Investors use comps to value a startup.

Synonyms and how they differ

freebies
General word for things given free; comps is more specific to the hospitality and entertainment industries.
comparables
The formal term for similar items used in valuation; comps is the informal short form.

Word family

comp noun
The singular form: a free ticket or a comparable item.
comp verb
To give something free, as in 'The hotel comped our room.'

Commonly confused: comps or comps?

comps vs comps

Not to be confused with 'comps' as a short form of 'competitions' in British English, where it can mean contests.

Practice

In a business news report, 'comps rose 4%' most likely means:

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