'comparably' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'comparare', where the prefix 'com-' meant 'together' and 'parare' meant 'to prepare/arrange'. The adjective 'comparable' was formed (meaning 'able to be compared'), and the adverb was created by adding the suffix '-ly'.

'comparably' changed from Latin 'comparare' into Old French 'comparer' and Middle English 'compare'/'comparable', and eventually became the modern English adverb 'comparably' by adding the English adverbial suffix '-ly' to 'comparable'.

Initially, related forms meant 'to make equal' or 'to set together' (compare/prepare), but over time the sense shifted to 'able to be compared' and then to the adverbial sense 'in a comparable way' or 'to a similar degree'.