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

Examples of superlative in a Sentence

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

Because the press knew Ruth so well, the public did, too—and beyond his superlative play, the Sultan of Swat became beloved for his enormous charisma and appetites. —Nicholas Dawidoff, The New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2024

One quarter later, another superlative followed — this time when his son joined him on the court. —Andrew Greif, NBC News, 23 Oct. 2024

Noun

These numbers instead aim to simply illustrate trends or superlatives. —Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 25 Oct. 2024

Its comparatives and superlatives bleed into each other, what may have once seemed like a watershed moment becomes routine. —Keith Gessen, The New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2024

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-lət-iv 

1

: of, relating to, or being the form of an adjective or adverb that shows the highest or lowest degree of comparison

2

: better than all others : supreme

superlatively adverb

superlative

2 of 2 noun

1

: the superlative degree or a superlative form in a language

2

: the superlative or utmost degree of something

3

: a superlative person or thing