Contents

English

Etymology

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’”).

Pronunciation

Noun

Singular superlative

Plural superlatives

superlative (plural superlatives)

  1. The highest extent or degree of something.
  2. (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"
  3. (informal) An adjective used to praise something exceptional.
    Lincoln is amazing, wonderful, fantastic, and many other superlatives I can’t think of right now!

Synonyms

Related terms

Adjective

superlative (not comparable)

Positive superlative

Comparative not comparable

Superlative none (absolute)
  1. Exceptionally good; of the highest quality; superb.
  2. (grammar) Of or relating to a superlative.

Translations

exceptionally good
  • Polish: doskonały pl(pl) m., znakomity pl(pl) m.
  • Portuguese: supremo pt(pt)
  • Russian: высочайший ru(ru) (vysočájšij), величайший ru(ru) (veličájšij)
  • Spanish: supremo es(es)
of or pertaining to a superlative
  • Finnish: superlatiivinen fi(fi)
  • French: superlatif fr(fr) m.

See also

Italian

Adjective

superlative f.

  1. Feminine plural form of superlativo.

 

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