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

• superlativeness noun
• superlatively adverb
• 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

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

From Los Angeles Times

Not only that, but the heatwave is responsible for another, more worrying superlative.

From BBC

“Murderbot,” on the other hand, earns that superlative by tickling us with the thought that while our disquietude about AI’s takeover is legitimate, machines are in no way prepared for every aspect of it.

From Salon

“I can’t find enough superlatives to describe the boy,” says Graham, who also co-wrote the show and stars as his father.

From Los Angeles Times

And his doctors and aides regularly use superlatives to describe the health of the 78-year-old president, with Karoline Leavitt, his White House press secretary, referring to him as “perfect” on Monday.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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