superlative
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superlative adjective
Superlative adjectives are adjectives that describe the attribute of a person or thing that is the highest (or lowest) in degree compared to the members of the noun’s group. Superlative adjectives are similar to comparative adjectives, except they express the most extreme degree of comparison, and they are only used when talking about groups of three or more people or things.
su·per·la·tive
(so͝o-pûr′lə-tĭv)adj.
1. Of the highest order, quality, or degree; surpassing or superior to all others.
2. Excessive or exaggerated.
3. Grammar Of, relating to, or being the extreme degree of comparison of an adjective or adverb, as in best or brightest.
n.
1. Something of the highest possible excellence.
2. The highest degree; the acme.
3. Grammar
a. The superlative degree.
b. An adjective or adverb expressing the superlative degree, as in brightest, the superlative of the adjective bright, or most brightly, the superlative of the adverb brightly.
[Middle English superlatif, from Old French, from Late Latin superlātīvus, from Latin superlātus, past participle of superferre, to carry over a person or thing, exaggerate : super-, super- + lātus, past participle of ferre, to carry; see telə- in Indo-European roots.]
su·per′la·tive·ly adv.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
superlative
(suːˈpɜːlətɪv)adj
1. of outstanding quality, degree, etc; supreme
2. (Grammar) grammar denoting the form of an adjective or adverb that expresses the highest or a very high degree of quality. In English the superlative degree is usually marked by the suffix -est or the word most, as in loudest or most loudly. Compare positive10, comparative3
3. (of language or style) excessive; exaggerated
n
4. a thing that excels all others or is of the highest quality
5. (Grammar) grammar the superlative form of an adjective
6. the highest degree; peak
[C14: from Old French superlatif, via Late Latin from Latin superlātus extravagant, from superferre to carry beyond, from super- + ferre to bear]
suˈperlatively adv
suˈperlativeness n
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
su•per•la•tive
(səˈpɜr lə tɪv, sʊ-)adj.
1. of the highest kind or order.
2. of or designating the highest degree of comparison of adjectives and adverbs, used to show the extreme or greatest in quality, quantity, or intensity, as in smallest, best, and most carefully, the superlative forms of small, good, and carefully. Compare comparative (def. 4), positive (def. 22).
n. 3. a superlative person or thing.
4. the utmost degree; acme.
5.
a. the superlative degree.
b. the superlative form of an adjective or adverb.
[1350–1400; Middle English < Old French < Late Latin superlātīvus= Latin superlāt(us), past participle of superferre to carry over, to a higher degree (super- super- + ferre to bear1) + -īvus -ive]
su•per′la•tive•ly, adv.
su•per′la•tive•ness, n.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
See also related terms for positive.
Farlex Trivia Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.
superlative
Used to describe an adjective or adverb expressing the highest degree of comparison, for example, “brightest” or most brightly.”
Dictionary of Unfamiliar Words by Diagram Group Copyright © 2008 by Diagram Visual Information Limited
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
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Noun | 1. | superlative - an exaggerated expression (usually of praise); "the critics lavished superlatives on it" congratulations, extolment, kudos, praise - an expression of approval and commendation; "he always appreciated praise for his work" best - (superlative of `good') having the most positive qualities; "the best film of the year"; "the best solution"; "the best time for planting"; "wore his best suit" worst - (superlative of `bad') most wanting in quality or value or condition; "the worst player on the team"; "the worst weather of the year" most - the superlative of `much' that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by `the'; a quantifier meaning the greatest in amount or extent or degree; "made the most money he could"; "what attracts the most attention?"; "made the most of a bad deal" least - the superlative of `little' that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by `the'; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree; "didn't care the least bit"; "he has the least talent of anyone" most - (superlative of `many' used with count nouns and often preceded by `the') quantifier meaning the greatest in number; "who has the most apples?"; "most people like eggs"; "most fishes have fins" fewest - (superlative of `few' used with count nouns and usually preceded by `the') quantifier meaning the smallest in number; "the fewest birds in recent memory" |
2. | superlative - the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development; "his landscapes were deemed the acme of beauty"; "the artist's gifts are at their acme"; "at the height of her career"; "the peak of perfection"; "summer was at its peak"; "...catapulted Einstein to the pinnacle of fame"; "the summit of his ambition"; "so many highest superlatives achieved by man"; "at the top of his profession" | |
3. | superlative - the superlative form of an adjective or adverb; "`fastest' is the superlative of the adjective `fast'"; "`least famous' is the superlative degree of the adjective `famous'"; "`most surely' is the superlative of the adverb `surely'" adjective - a word that expresses an attribute of something adverb - a word that modifies something other than a noun | |
Adj. | 1. | superlative - highest in quality superior - of high or superior quality or performance; "superior wisdom derived from experience"; "superior math students" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
superlative
adjective supreme, excellent, outstanding, highest, greatest, crack (slang), magnificent, surpassing, consummate, stellar (informal), unparalleled, transcendent, unrivalled, peerless, unsurpassed, matchless, of the highest order, of the first water Some superlative wines are made in this region.
poor, average, ordinary, inferior, appalling, dreadful, rotten, abysmal, run-of-the-mill, undistinguished, uninspired, unspectacular, unexceptional, easily outclassed
poor, average, ordinary, inferior, appalling, dreadful, rotten, abysmal, run-of-the-mill, undistinguished, uninspired, unspectacular, unexceptional, easily outclassed
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
superlative
adjectiveSurpassing all others in quality:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
أفْعَل التَّفْضيلدَرجَة التَّفْضيل بين الصِّفات
superlativsuperlativní
superlativhøjeste grad
erinomainenhäikäisevähuippusuperlatiivisuperlatiivinen
superlativ
felsõfokfelsõfokú
efsta stigefsta stig, hástighástigs-
vispārākā pakāpevispārāks
superlatívsuperlatívny
presežnik
superlativ
üstünlüküstünlük derecesi
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
superlative
[suːˈpɜːrlətɪv] adj
(= excellent) [performance, wine, view, achievement, quality] → sans pareil(le)
(LINGUISTICS) [form] → superlatif/ive
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
superlative
adj (= excellent) → überragend, unübertrefflich; happiness → größte(r, s), höchste(r, s); indifference → höchste(r, s); (Gram) → superlativisch, im Superlativ; (= exaggerated) style → überschwänglich
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
superlative
[suˈpɜːlətɪv]Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
superlative
(suˈpəːlətiv) adjective (of an adjective or adverb) of the highest degree of comparison. `Biggest' is a superlative adjective.
noun (an adjective or adverb of) the superlative degree. `Best' and `worst' are the superlatives of `good' and `bad'; She is the prettiest girl in the room; We'll go by different roads to see who will arrive (the) soonest / most quickly.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.