superlative

[suh-pur-luh-tiv, soo-]

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.

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

/ 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

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

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.)

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of superlative¹

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” ( bear ¹ ) + -īvus -ive; replacing Middle English superlatif, from Old French, from Late Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of superlative¹

C14: from Old French superlatif, via Late Latin from Latin superlātus extravagant, from superferre to carry beyond, from _super- + ferre to bear

Example Sentences

That’s why everyone from teammates to security guards at the team’s training center use superlatives like humble, special, gracious, down to earth — and, yes, nice — when describing Son.

From Los Angeles Times

The British embassy in Washington may not currently have an ambassador, but it is still in possession of superlatives.

From BBC

Highlights included the Vienna Symphony's superlative performance of Bruckner's Symphony No 9, and star conductor Klaus Mäkelä, who delivered an astonishingly emotional version of Gustav Mahler's Fifth Symphony with the Netherlands' Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.

From BBC

Just a few years earlier, bosses and colleagues praised Marc as a superlative manager.

From Los Angeles Times

“Baldwin: A Love Story” is superlative, and it should become the new gold standard for Baldwin studies.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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