superlative

A2 Topic:General Vocabulary

US /suˈpɝː.lə.tɪv/ UK /suːˈpɜː.lə.tɪv/ See IPA manual

Freq #52747

Meanings

1

noun
The form of an adjective or adverb that expresses the highest degree, such as 'fastest' or 'best'.

'Fastest' is the superlative of 'fast'.
2

adj
Of the highest quality; exceptionally good.

The orchestra gave a superlative performance.
3

noun
An exaggerated word or phrase of praise.

The critics lavished superlatives on the film.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · the form of an adjective or... superlative degree

2 adj · of the highest quality;... exceptional extraordinary superb

Word family

Forms superlativelysuperlativenesssuperlatives

Derived forms super-superlative

Related forms absolute comparative elative

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

superlative degree
the adjective or adverb form expressing the highest or lowest degree in a comparison

Adjective + noun

Etymology

From Middle English superlatyf, from Old French superlatif, from Late Latin superlātīvus, from Latin superlātus (“carried above, over; extravagant, of hyperbole”), past participle of superfero (“carry over”), from super (“above”) + fero (“bear, carry”).

superlatyf Middle English superlatif Old French superlātīvus la-lat superlātus Latin

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Topics

General Vocabulary

External links

# superlative

**Type:** Word
**Level:** A2
**Part of speech:** noun, adj
**IPA (US):** /suˈpɝː.lə.tɪv/
**IPA (UK):** /suːˈpɜː.lə.tɪv/
**Frequency rank:** 52747

## Meanings
1. The form of an adjective or adverb that expresses the highest degree, such as 'fastest' or 'best'.
2. Of the highest quality; exceptionally good.
3. An exaggerated word or phrase of praise.

## Examples
- 'Fastest' is the superlative of 'fast'.
- The orchestra gave a superlative performance.
- The critics lavished superlatives on the film.

## Derived Forms
- super-superlative

## Related Forms
- absolute
- comparative
- elative

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: superlatyf
- Root: superlatif
- Root: superlātīvus
- Root: superlātus

## Etymology
From Middle English superlatyf, from Old French superlatif, from Late Latin superlātīvus, from Latin superlātus (“carried above, over; extravagant, of hyperbole”), past participle of superfero (“carry over”), from super (“above”) + fero (“bear, carry”).

## AI Etymology
Superlative is from Middle English superlatyf, from Old French superlatif, from Late Latin superlātīvus, from Latin superlātus (“carried above, over; extravagant, of hyperbole”), past participle of superfero (“carry over”), from super (“above”) + fero (“bear, carry”). In present-day use, it can mean the form of an adjective or adverb that expresses the highest degree, such as 'fastest' or 'best', or of the highest quality; exceptionally good.

## Topics
- General Vocabulary

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