superlative

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj

Having the power to carry something or someone above, over or beyond others.
Exceptionally good; of the highest quality.
Of or relating to the superlative degree (a degree of comparison of adjectives and adverbs).

noun

The extreme (e.g. highest, lowest, deepest, farthest, etc) extent or degree of something.
The degree of comparison of an adjective or adverb used when comparing three or more entities in terms of a certain property or a certain way of doing something. In English, the superlative of superiority is formed by adding the suffix -est or the word most (e.g. tiniest, most fully); the superlative of inferiority, by adding the word least (e.g. least big, least fully).
An adjective or adverb in the superlative degree.

Pronunciation

/suːˈpɜːlətɪv/ /sjuːˈpɜːlətɪv/ /sʉwˈpəːlətɪv/ en-gb-superlative.ogg /sʉːˈpɜːlətɪv/ en-au-superlative.ogg /suˈpɝlətɪv/ en-us-superlative.ogg /sʉˈpɛɾlətɪv/ /sɪʊˈpøːlətɪv/ /ˌsupə(r)ˌleʈɪʋ/

Word forms

superlative superlatives

Etymology

From Middle English superlatyf, from Old French superlatif, from Late Latin superlātīvus, from Latin superlātus (“carried above, over; extravagant, of hyperbole”), past participle of superfero (“carry over”), from super (“above”) + fero (“bear, carry”).

Synonyms

above and beyond exceptional fabulous extraordinary superb acme apex height peak zenith superlative degree

Related words

absolute comparative elative

Derived words

hypersuperlative oversuperlative superlative degree superlatively superlativeness superlativity unsuperlative super-superlative absolute superlative relative superlative superlative of inferiority superlative of superiority

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