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. See comparative, positive
   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

• suˈperlatively, adverb
• suˈperlativeness, noun

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

After nine months of isolation and lockdowns and more than 300,000 deaths, it is difficult to find superlatives to fit this moment.

From FiveThirtyEight

Hill, superlative quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs scorched the field where the next Super Bowl will be played, holding off a vintage Tom Brady-led comeback for a 27-24 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

From Washington Post

When he discovered tentacled snakes are born knowing how to strike at prey rather than learning through failure, Catania recalls that he couldn’t “find enough superlatives to sum up these results.”

From Science News

Some have gone on to become superlative research mathematicians.

From Nautilus

Despite my aversion to superlatives, I consider communication to be one of the most difficult, important, and ubiquitous activities.

From Fortune

In fact, the recent outpouring of travel superlative lists is already targeting the next best thing.

From The Daily Beast

You will have to forgive him for labeling more than one destination in such a superlative fashion.

From The Daily Beast

The interview illustrates that, among all her other superlative qualities, is a remarkable level of self awareness.

From The Daily Beast

Together, we decide that the drink should be called a Cucumber Superlative.

From The Daily Beast

Floyd Landis was a superlative natural talent, even more so than Armstrong ever was.

From The Daily Beast

I am told that it was just when I was on the point of leaving that I received your superlative epistle about the cricket eleven.

From Project Gutenberg

It must, however, be ascribed chiefly to the moment of its presentation rather than to any superlative merit in the drama.

From Project Gutenberg

All are quarried out upon a superlative scale of magnitude, and every one of them is a marvel.

From Project Gutenberg

It seemed the superlative compliment, though he valued feminine brains and ability.

From Project Gutenberg

There should be a superlative form of perfect for a day like this!

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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