Superlative

//suːˈpɜː.lə.tɪv// adj, noun

adj, noun ·Common ·High school level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    The extreme (e.g. highest, lowest, deepest, farthest, etc) extent or degree of something.

    "A twist is accordingly something especially good, and a big twist is the superlative of excellence."

  2. 2
    the superlative form of an adjective or adverb wordnet
  3. 3
    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).
  4. 4
    an exaggerated expression (usually of praise) wordnet
  5. 5
    An adjective or adverb in the superlative degree.

    "Daniel is amazing, wonderful, fantastic, and many other superlatives I can’t think of right now!"

Show 1 more definition
  1. 6
    the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development wordnet
Adjective
  1. 1
    Having the power to carry something or someone above, over or beyond others. literally, not-comparable
  2. 2
    Exceptionally good; of the highest quality. figuratively, not-comparable

    "The Governor-General was entertaining at a civil banquet in the evening. He is reported as having made a “superlative speech, congratulating the Victorians on their loyalty; […].”"

  3. 3
    Of or relating to the superlative degree (a degree of comparison of adjectives and adverbs). not-comparable
Adjective
  1. 1
    highest in quality wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms
acmegreatestheightpeaksuperlative degreeacme

Example

More examples

"There is in all men a demand for the superlative, so much so that the poor devil who has no other way of reaching it attains it by getting drunk."

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”).

Related phrases

absolute superlativerelative superlativesuper-superlativesuper-superlativesuperlative degreesuperlative of inferioritysuperlative of superioritysuperlative degree

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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.