superlative
See also: Superlative
English edit
Etymology edit
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 edit
- (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /suːˈpɜː.lə.tɪv/, /sjuːˈpɜː.lə.tɪv/
- (US) IPA(key): /suˈpɝː.lə.tɪv/
Audio (US) (file) Audio (AU) (file) Audio (UK) (file)
Noun edit
superlative (plural superlatives)
- The extreme (e.g. highest, lowest, deepest, farthest, etc) extent or degree of something.
- 1966, Sidney John Baker, The Australian language:
- A twist is accordingly something especially good, and a big twist is the superlative of excellence.
- (grammar) The form of an adjective that expresses which of several 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".
- (informal) An adjective used to praise something exceptional.
- Daniel is amazing, wonderful, fantastic, and many other superlatives I can’t think of right now!
- 2019 May 1, Daniel Taylor, The Guardian[1]:
- Sometimes it feels like there are no more superlatives left. Seriously, what else can be said about this little guy with the No 10 shirt and magic in his feet other than to ask, perhaps, whether there is anyone who wants to persist with the argument that Pelé, or Diego Maradona, or any of the others, have ever played this sport any better?
Synonyms edit
Hyponyms edit
Derived terms edit
Related terms edit
Translations edit
highest degree of something
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form of adjective expressing "most"
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adjective used to praise
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Adjective edit
superlative (not comparable)
Usage notes edit
Rather formal, reflecting its Latin etymology; more colloquial alternatives include exceptional, fabulous, above and beyond, and others.
Synonyms edit
- (exceptionally good): above and beyond, exceptional, extraordinary, superb
Derived terms edit
Translations edit
exceptionally good
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of or pertaining to a superlative
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See also edit
French edit
Adjective edit
superlative
Italian edit
Adjective edit
superlative
Latin edit
Adjective edit
superlātīve