superlative
See also: Superlative
English
Etymology
From (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Middle English superlatyf, from (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Old French superlatif, from (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Late Latin superlātīvus, from (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Latin superlātus (“extravagant, of hyperbole”), past participle of superfero (“carry over”), from super (“above”) + fero (“bear, carry”).
Pronunciation
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 360: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "RP" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /suːˈpɜː.lə.tɪv/, /sjuːˈpɜː.lə.tɪv/
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 360: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "US" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /suˈpɝː.lə.tɪv/
Audio (US): (file) Audio (AU): (file) Audio (UK): (file)
Noun
superlative (plural superlatives)
- The highest 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, Daniel Taylor, Lionel Messi magic puts Barcelona in command of semi-final with Liverpool (in The Guardian, 1 May 2019)[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
Hyponyms
Related terms
Translations
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
superlative (not comparable)
Usage notes
Rather formal, reflecting its Latin etymology; more colloquial alternatives include exceptional, fabulous, above and beyond, and others.
Synonyms
- (exceptionally good): above and beyond, exceptional, extraordinary, superb
Translations
exceptionally good
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of or pertaining to a superlative
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See also
French
Adjective
superlative
Italian
Adjective
superlative
Latin
Adjective
(deprecated template usage) superlātīve
Categories:
- English terms derived from Middle English
- English terms derived from Old French
- English terms derived from Late Latin
- English terms derived from Latin
- English 4-syllable words
- English terms with IPA pronunciation
- English terms with audio pronunciation
- English lemmas
- English nouns
- English countable nouns
- English terms with quotations
- en:Grammar
- English terms with usage examples
- English informal terms
- English adjectives
- English uncomparable adjectives
- French non-lemma forms
- French adjective forms
- Italian non-lemma forms
- Italian adjective forms
- Latin non-lemma forms
- Latin adjective forms