Superlative meaning

so͝o-pûr'lə-tĭv
Excessive or exaggerated.
adjective
3
0
Superlative is a grammar term used for an adjective or adverb that expresses the greatest degree.

An example of a superlative is the "greatest" or "smartest," both of which express the highest degree.

noun
3
1
The definition of superlative is expressing the very highest degree, or the very best example of something.

An example of superlative is having the highest level of talent.

An example of superlative is "smartest," referring to the person who is the most intelligent.

adjective
2
0
Of the highest order, quality, or degree; surpassing or superior to all others.
adjective
2
2
Something of the highest possible excellence.
noun
1
0
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Superior to or excelling all other or others; of the highest kind, quality, degree, etc.; supreme.
adjective
1
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Designating or of the extreme degree of comparison of adjectives and adverbs; expressing the greatest degree of the quality or attribute expressed by the positive degree: usually indicated by the suffix -est (hardest) or by the use of most with the positive form (most beautiful)
adjective
1
0
The highest or utmost degree; acme; height; peak.
noun
0
0
Something superlative.
noun
0
0
The highest extent or degree of something.
noun
0
0
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(grammar) The form of an adjective that expresses which of more than two items has the highest degree of the quality expressed by the adjective; in English, formed by appending "-est" to the end of the adjective (for some short adjectives only) or putting "most" before it.

The superlative of "big" is "biggest"

noun
0
0
(informal) An adjective used to praise something exceptional.

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

noun
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Exceptionally good; of the highest quality; superb.
adjective
0
0
(grammar) Of or relating to a superlative.
adjective
0
0
Of, relating to, or being the extreme degree of comparison of an adjective or adverb, as in best or brightest.
adjective
0
1
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The highest degree; the acme.
noun
0
1
Excessive or exaggerated.
adjective
0
1

Origin of superlative

  • Middle English superlatif from Old French from Late Latin superlātīvus from Latin superlātus past participle of superferre to carry over a person or thing, exaggerate super- super- lātus past participle of ferre to carry telə- in Indo-European roots
    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
  • From Middle English superlatyf, from Old French superlatif, from Late Latin superlātīvus, from Latin superlātus (“extravagant, of hyperbole”), past participle of superfero (“carry over”), from super (“above”) + fero (“bear, carry”).
    From Wiktionary

Superlative Sentence Examples

  • The poets and the philosophers paid him enthusiastic homage, and all the distinguished women of the day testified to his superlative merits.

  • The judges found it difficult to pick the person with the superlative performance in the talent show.

  • A superlative in English describes something that is at one extreme or the other.

  • In the superlative in English you would never say the goodest and you don't in French either.

  • At the end of the year, the class decided to pass out awards to recognize their peers' superlative talents and efforts.

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Words near superlative in the Dictionary