superlative

1 of 2

adjective

su·per·la·tive su̇-ˈpər-lə-tiv How to pronounce superlative (audio)

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

: surpassing all others : supreme

: of very high quality : excellent

superlative work

: excessive, exaggerated

superlatively adverb

superlativeness noun

superlative

2 of 2

noun

: the superlative degree of comparison in a language

: a superlative form of an adjective or adverb

: the superlative or utmost degree of something : acme

: a superlative person or thing

: an admiring sometimes exaggerated expression especially of praise

Did you know?

Superlative may sound high-flown when compared with a synonym like outstanding, but if your next paper comes back from your teacher with the comment "Superlative work!" at the top you probably won't complain. Since superlative means "best, greatest", it makes sense that superlative is also a term used in grammar for the highest degree of comparison. So for the adjective simple, for example, the comparative form is simpler and the superlative form is simplest; and for the adverb boldly, the comparative form is more boldly and the superlative is most boldly.

Synonyms

Adjective

A-OK
A1
awesome
bang-up
banner
beautiful
blue-chip
blue-ribbon
boffo
bonny [chiefly British]
bonnie
boss [slang]
brag
brave
bully
bumper
capital
choice
classic
cool [slang]
corking
crackerjack
cracking
dandy
divine
dope [slang]
down [slang]
dynamite
excellent
fab
fabulous
famous
fantabulous [slang]
fantastic
fine
first-class
first-rate
first-string
five-star
four-star
frontline
gangbusters
gangbuster
gilt-edged
gilt-edge
gone [slang]
grand
great
groovy
heavenly
high-class
hot
hype [slang]
immense
jim-dandy
keen
lovely
marvelous
marvellous
mean
neat
nifty
noble
number one
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
supernal
swell
terrific
tip-top
top
top-notch
top-of-the-line
top-shelf
topflight
topping [chiefly British]
unsurpassed
wizard [chiefly British]
wonderful

See all Synonyms & Antonyms

Example Sentences

Adjective The superlative form of “nice” is “nicest”; the superlative form of “bad” is “worst”; the superlative form of “interesting” is “most interesting.” the New England town meeting is a superlative example of grassroots democracy Noun “Simplest” is the superlative of “simple.”

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The Chargers received superlative work from Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa, who in the two games have resembled the NFL’s top tandem of edge defenders.

Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Sep. 2022 His bagels, fermented for 48 hours before being boiled and baked to crisp-chewy perfection, are simple and superlative.

The Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors, Bon Appétit, 8 Sep. 2022 While superlative speeds are easily accessible with an 829-hp V-12 and relatively low weight of the 2023 Ferrari Daytona SP3, reaching for them brings considerable danger to your license, if not the safety of everyone on the road around you.

Carlos Lago, Car and Driver, 25 Aug. 2022 The third expression in this outstanding series combines Patrón’s mastery of artisanal tequila and Lalique’s, France’s crown jewel of the crystal industry, superlative glass making.

Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 11 July 2022 She’s her only child, and the editor of a superlative 2014 collection of her work, The Essential Ellen Willis.

Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2022 The writers do a commendable job keeping Carson and Max's parallel arcs afloat while squeezing in some subplots for the superlative supporting players — but later episodes of League buckle a bit under the weight of so much story.

Leah Greenblatt, EW.com, 12 Aug. 2022 By the end of the world championships, expect to see some superlative performances that few could have seen coming.

oregonlive, 14 July 2022 Proceeds from The Ann & Gordon Getty Collection–1500 superlative works of decorative and fine arts–will benefit the Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation for the Arts.

James Reginato, Town & Country, 5 July 2022

Noun

For this pyramid, sheer size is not the real superlative; Vegas, after all, has its own, even larger tetrahedral hotel.

Boyce Upholt, Outside Online, 10 Aug. 2022 The source used a superlative to describe the state of Jenner and Scott's union.

Alyssa Bailey, ELLE, 3 June 2022 Using the German superlative, employees referred to him as the über product manager.

Brad Stone, Wired, 11 May 2021 There are plenty of familiar names, of course, including the previous Tony winners Mary-Louise Parker, LaChanze, Hugh Jackman, Sutton Foster, Phylicia Rashad and Patti LuPone — the last two superlative in supporting rather than leading roles.

New York Times, 9 May 2022 That question can only be answered in the context of another superlative: the U.S. claims the highest reported number of COVID cases—as well as COVID deaths—in the world.

Jen Schwartz, Scientific American, 15 Feb. 2022 This is one of the country’s smallest national parks—a superlative that promises seamless car-free navigation.

Stephanie Vermillion, Outside Online, 2 Nov. 2021 If the cast and crew were to give you a superlative on set, what would that be?

Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 11 Feb. 2022 Its protagonists — a morose corporate also-ran (Orlando Bloom) and the peppy flight attendant (Dunst) who cheers him up — work overtime to win that superlative.

Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2021 See More

单词	superlative
释义	superlative 1 of 2 adjective su·per·la·tive su̇-ˈpər-lə-tiv 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 superlatively adverb superlativeness noun superlative 2 of 2 noun 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 Did you know? Superlative may sound high-flown when compared with a synonym like outstanding, but if your next paper comes back from your teacher with the comment "Superlative work!" at the top you probably won't complain. Since superlative means "best, greatest", it makes sense that superlative is also a term used in grammar for the highest degree of comparison. So for the adjective simple, for example, the comparative form is simpler and the superlative form is simplest; and for the adverb boldly, the comparative form is more boldly and the superlative is most boldly. Synonyms Adjective A-OK A1 awesome bang-up banner beautiful blue-chip blue-ribbon boffo bonny [chiefly British] bonnie boss [slang] brag brave bully bumper capital choice classic cool [slang] corking crackerjack cracking dandy divine dope [slang] down [slang] dynamite excellent fab fabulous famous fantabulous [slang] fantastic fine first-class first-rate first-string five-star four-star frontline gangbusters gangbuster gilt-edged gilt-edge gone [slang] grand great groovy heavenly high-class hot hype [slang] immense jim-dandy keen lovely marvelous marvellous mean neat nifty noble number one 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 supernal swell terrific tip-top top top-notch top-of-the-line top-shelf topflight topping [chiefly British] unsurpassed wizard [chiefly British] wonderful See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Adjective The superlative form of “nice” is “nicest”; the superlative form of “bad” is “worst”; the superlative form of “interesting” is “most interesting.” the New England town meeting is a superlative example of grassroots democracy Noun “Simplest” is the superlative of “simple.” Recent Examples on the Web Adjective The Chargers received superlative work from Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa, who in the two games have resembled the NFL’s top tandem of edge defenders. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Sep. 2022 His bagels, fermented for 48 hours before being boiled and baked to crisp-chewy perfection, are simple and superlative. The Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors, Bon Appétit, 8 Sep. 2022 While superlative speeds are easily accessible with an 829-hp V-12 and relatively low weight of the 2023 Ferrari Daytona SP3, reaching for them brings considerable danger to your license, if not the safety of everyone on the road around you. Carlos Lago, Car and Driver, 25 Aug. 2022 The third expression in this outstanding series combines Patrón’s mastery of artisanal tequila and Lalique’s, France’s crown jewel of the crystal industry, superlative glass making. Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 11 July 2022 She’s her only child, and the editor of a superlative 2014 collection of her work, The Essential Ellen Willis. Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2022 The writers do a commendable job keeping Carson and Max's parallel arcs afloat while squeezing in some subplots for the superlative supporting players — but later episodes of League buckle a bit under the weight of so much story. Leah Greenblatt, EW.com, 12 Aug. 2022 By the end of the world championships, expect to see some superlative performances that few could have seen coming. oregonlive, 14 July 2022 Proceeds from The Ann & Gordon Getty Collection–1500 superlative works of decorative and fine arts–will benefit the Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation for the Arts. James Reginato, Town & Country, 5 July 2022 Noun For this pyramid, sheer size is not the real superlative; Vegas, after all, has its own, even larger tetrahedral hotel. Boyce Upholt, Outside Online, 10 Aug. 2022 The source used a superlative to describe the state of Jenner and Scott's union. Alyssa Bailey, ELLE, 3 June 2022 Using the German superlative, employees referred to him as the über product manager. Brad Stone, Wired, 11 May 2021 There are plenty of familiar names, of course, including the previous Tony winners Mary-Louise Parker, LaChanze, Hugh Jackman, Sutton Foster, Phylicia Rashad and Patti LuPone — the last two superlative in supporting rather than leading roles. New York Times, 9 May 2022 That question can only be answered in the context of another superlative: the U.S. claims the highest reported number of COVID cases—as well as COVID deaths—in the world. Jen Schwartz, Scientific American, 15 Feb. 2022 This is one of the country’s smallest national parks—a superlative that promises seamless car-free navigation. Stephanie Vermillion, Outside Online, 2 Nov. 2021 If the cast and crew were to give you a superlative on set, what would that be? Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 11 Feb. 2022 Its protagonists — a morose corporate also-ran (Orlando Bloom) and the peppy flight attendant (Dunst) who cheers him up — work overtime to win that superlative. Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2021 See More Word History Etymology Adjective 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 Adjective 14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Noun 15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a Kids Definition superlative 1 of 2 adjective su·per·la·tive su̇-ˈpər-lə-tiv 1 : being the form of an adjective or adverb that shows the greatest degree of comparison "Best" is the superlative form of "good." 2 : better than all others : supreme superlative work superlative 2 of 2 noun : the superlative degree or a superlative form in a language superlative 1 of 2 adjective as in excellent of the very best kind the New England town meeting is a superlative example of grassroots democracy Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance excellent superb terrific wonderful great fantastic stellar awesome fabulous lovely beautiful marvelous prime quality fine marvellous superior classic exceptional famous splendid hot sensational heavenly divine unsurpassed neat top cool immense sterling first-rate choice good grand primo topflight crackerjack prizewinning dynamite slick fab top-notch capital noble topping prize first-class brave boffo nifty par excellence fantabulous supernal cracking corking decent top-shelf groovy high-class dandy frontline brag swell top-of-the-line banner peachy keen gangbusters righteous mean better five-star gangbuster bang-up too much radical dope first-string hype tip-top adequate satisfactory special bumper number one four-star boss blue-ribbon wizard blue-chip bully peachy keen phat gilt-edge numero uno acceptable gone bonny gilt-edged out-of-sight traditional premium classical jim-dandy out of this world down passable A1 fancy A-OK tolerable superfine No. 1 all right standard bonnie select high-grade okay high-test OK Antonyms & Near Antonyms poor terrible lousy execrable atrocious awful inferior wretched pathetic vile substandard unsatisfactory bad rotten mediocre middling low-grade second-rate second-class See More superlative 2 of 2 noun as in hyperbole Synonyms & Similar Words hyperbole exaggeration magnification overstatement elaboration enhancement misrepresentation stretching embellishment embroidery puffery fabrication hype embroidering padding amplification coloring caricature hedging fudging Antonyms & Near Antonyms understatement meiosis disparagement belittlement minimizing poor-mouthing
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superlative

adjective

noun

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Kids Definition

adjective

noun

adjective

noun