superlative
1 of 2adjective
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 2noun
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
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 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
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 2noun
: the superlative degree or a superlative form in a language
superlatively
adverb
as in marvelously
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- marvelously
- superbly
- terrifically
- fabulously
- excellently
- finely
- superiorly
- impeccably
- exceptionally
- faultlessly
- immaculately
- flawlessly
- perfectly
- grandly
- ideally
- greatly
- pat
- specially
- fancily
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- imperfectly
- badly
- insufficiently
- defectively
- inadequately
- faultily
- incompletely
- deficiently
- atrociously
- execrably
- wretchedly
- amiss
- fallibly
- meanings
- meanlier
- meanliest
- meanly
- meanness
- meannesses
- means
- means everything to
- means everything to (someone)
- means everything to someone
- Means grass
- means of support
- means test
- means-tested
- meanspiritednesses
- meant
- meant for
- meant for (someone)
- meant for each other
- meant for someone
- meant to
- meant to (be/do something)
- meant to be
- meant to be something
- meant to do something)