superlative

American  

[suh-pur-luh-tiv, soo-] / səˈpɜr lə tɪv, sʊ- /

adjective

1. of the highest kind, quality, or order; surpassing all else or others; supreme; extreme.

   superlative wisdom.

   Synonyms:

   preeminent, magnificent, excellent, surpassing

2. Grammar. of, relating to, or noting the highest degree of the comparison of adjectives and adverbs, as smallest, best, and most carefully, the superlative forms of small, good, and carefully.

3. being more than is proper or normal; exaggerated in language or style.

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noun

1. a superlative person or thing.

2. the utmost degree; acme.

3. Grammar.

   1. the superlative degree.

   2. a form in the superlative.

superlative British  

/ suːˈpɜːlətɪv /

adjective

1. of outstanding quality, degree, etc; supreme

2. grammar denoting the form of an adjective or adverb that expresses the highest or a very high degree of quality. In English the superlative degree is usually marked by the suffix -est or the word most, as in loudest or most loudly Compare positive comparative

3. (of language or style) excessive; exaggerated

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noun

1. a thing that excels all others or is of the highest quality

2. grammar the superlative form of an adjective

3. the highest degree; peak

superlative Cultural  

1. The form of an adjective indicating the greatest degree of the quality that the adjective describes. Best is the superlative form of good; fastest is the superlative form of fast; most charming is the superlative form of charming. The usual superlative takes the ending -est. (Compare comparative.)

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• unsuperlative
  adjective
• superlativeness
  noun
• superlatively
  adverb
• unsuperlatively
  adverb
• unsuperlativeness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of superlative

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Late Latin superlātīvus, equivalent to Latin superlāt(us) “excessive, extravagant” (from super- super- + lātus, used as past participle of ferre “to carry, bring” ( see bear ¹) + -īvus -ive; replacing Middle English superlatif, from Old French, from Late Latin, as above

Explanation

A superlative is the highest attainable level or degree of something. As an adjective superlative means highest in quality. When your history test results are superlative, it means you've gotten a perfect score — you've done as well as can be done, if not better than everyone else. There are times, however, when a superlative is an exaggerated expression of praise, as when a movie reviewer gets carried away with compliments and says in January that this is "the best film of the year."

Example Sentences

Guy de la Bédoyère’s “The Confessions of Samuel Pepys” is effectively a supplement to the superlative complete edition made by Robert Latham and William Matthews and published in 11 volumes between 1970 and 1983.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge said the life jacket was an "incredibly iconic and poignant item with a superlative provenance".

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

It’s unwieldy and imperfect but also at times quite moving thanks to the superlative work of its stars.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 17, 2026

“The more investors believe in this continuing productivity boom, the more money investors will make as the superlative returns for the leading Mag 7 become the superlative returns for the lagging Rest.”

From Barron's • Jan. 19, 2026

Everything about him was superlative, including his single flaw: He was uncontrollable.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

Related Words

• magnificent
• outstanding
• peerless
• superb
• transcendent
• unparalleled