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. Compare comparative ( def 4 ), positive ( def 21 ).
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 .)

Derived Forms

• suˈperlativeness, noun
• suˈperlatively, adverb

Other Words From

• su·perla·tive·ly adverb
• su·perla·tive·ness noun
• unsu·perla·tive adjective
• unsu·perla·tive·ly adverb
• unsu·perla·tive·ness 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

Soon enough it will come time for Trump, a superlative self-promoter and indifferent executive, to deliver on his many extravagant promises.

From Los Angeles Times

But a group show like this one benefits from a breadth that exceeds just superlative quality.

From Los Angeles Times

“I think even more meaningful than that is when people dress up in a striped dress and shove a pillow under there for Halloween. It’s happened every year since, and that’s probably my favorite thing — that’s my favorite superlative that’s happened.”

From Salon

No superlative too grand to oversell the matchup.

From Los Angeles Times

But even without that superlative, it’s an impressive collection, comprised of pieces from the Golden Age of ashtrays, the period from the 1920s through the late 1970s during which exceptional craftsmanship was focused on what’s essentially a miniature fireproof trash can.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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