superlative

¹su·per·la·tive

adj \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

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Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

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