superlative

¹su·per·la·tive

adjective \su̇-ˈpər-lə-tiv\

Definition of SUPERLATIVE

1

: of, relating to, or constituting the degree of grammatical comparison that denotes an extreme or unsurpassed level or extent

2

a : surpassing all others : supreme

b : of very high quality : excellent <superlative work>

3

: excessive, exaggerated

— su·per·la·tive·ly adverb

— su·per·la·tive·ness noun

Examples of SUPERLATIVE

1. The superlative form of “nice” is “nicest”; the superlative form of “bad” is “worst”; the superlative form of “interesting” is “most interesting.”
2. <the New England town meeting is a superlative example of grassroots democracy>

Origin of SUPERLATIVE

Middle English superlatif, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin superlativus, from Latin superlatus (past participle of superferre to carry over, raise high), from super- + latus, past participle of ferre to carry — more at tolerate, bear

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to SUPERLATIVE

Synonyms

A-OK, A1, awesome, bang-up, banner, beautiful, blue-chip, blue-ribbon, boffo, bonny (also bonnie) [chiefly British], boss [slang], brag, brave, bully, bumper, capital, choice, classic, cool [slang], corking, crackerjack, cracking, dandy, divine, dope [slang], down [slang], dynamite, fab, fabulous, famous, fantabulous [slang], fantastic, fine, first-class, first-rate, first-string, five-star, four-star, frontline, gangbusters (also gangbuster), gilt-edged (or gilt-edge), gone [slang], grand, great, groovy, heavenly, high-class, hot, hype [slang], immense, jim-dandy, keen, lovely, marvelous (or marvellous), mean, neat, nifty, noble, number one (also No. 1), numero uno, out-of-sight [slang], par excellence, peachy, peachy keen, phat [slang], prime, primo [slang], prize, prizewinning, quality, radical [slang], righteous [slang], sensational, slick, splendid, stellar, sterling, superb, superior, excellent, supernal, swell, terrific, tip-top, top, top-flight, top-notch, top-of-the-line, topping [chiefly British], top-shelf, unsurpassed, wizard [chiefly British], wonderful

Antonyms

atrocious, awful, execrable, lousy, pathetic, poor, rotten, terrible, vile, wretched

Related Words

acceptable, adequate, all right, decent, good, OK (or okay), passable, satisfactory, tolerable; better, exceptional, fancy, high-grade, high-test, premium, select, special, superfine; classical, standard, traditional

Near Antonyms

bad, inferior, low-grade, substandard, unsatisfactory; mediocre, middling, second-class, second-rate

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

ablaut, allusion, anacoluthon, diacritic, gerund, idiom, infinitive, metaphor, semiotics, simile

²superlative

noun

Definition of SUPERLATIVE

1

a : the superlative degree of comparison in a language

b : a superlative form of an adjective or adverb

2

: the superlative or utmost degree of something : acme

3

: a superlative person or thing

4

: an admiring sometimes exaggerated expression especially of praise

Examples of SUPERLATIVE

1. “Simplest” is the superlative of “simple.”

First Known Use of SUPERLATIVE

15th century

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

ablaut, allusion, anacoluthon, diacritic, gerund, idiom, infinitive, metaphor, semiotics, simile