Nearby Words
Synonyms
adjective
1.
of the highest kind, quality, or order; surpassing all else or others; supreme; extreme: superlative wisdom.
2.
Grammar. of, pertaining to, or noting the highest degree of the comparison of adjectives and adverbs, as smallest, best, and most carefully, the superlative forms of small, good, and carefully. Compare comparative (def. 4), positive (def. 20).
3.
being more than is proper or normal; exaggerated in language or style.
noun
4.
a superlative person or thing.
5.
the utmost degree; acme.
6.
Grammar.
a.
the superlative degree.
b.
a form in the superlative.
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Superlative
is an SAT word you need to know.
So is perdition. Does it mean:
| a state of final spiritual ruin; loss of the soul |
| optimistic, cheerful |
Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin superlātīvus, equivalent to Latin superlāt(us) hyperbolical (super- super- + -lātus, suppletive past participle of ferre to bear1) + -īvus -ive; replacing Middle English superlatif < Old French < Late Latin, as above
1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin superlātīvus, equivalent to Latin superlāt(us) hyperbolical (super- super- + -lātus, suppletive past participle of ferre to bear1) + -īvus -ive; replacing Middle English superlatif < Old French < Late Latin, as above
Related forms
su·per·la·tive·ly, adverb
su·per·la·tive·ness, noun
un·su·per·la·tive, adjective
un·su·per·la·tive·ly, adverb
un·su·per·la·tive·ness, noun
Synonyms
1. surpassing, excellent, magnificent, preeminent.
1. surpassing, excellent, magnificent, preeminent.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Link To Superlative
Collins
World English Dictionary
| superlative (suːˈpɜːlətɪv) | |
| —adj | |
| 1. | of outstanding quality, degree, etc; supreme |
| 2. | grammar positive Compare comparative 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 |
| 3. | (of language or style) excessive; exaggerated |
| —n | |
| 4. | a thing that excels all others or is of the highest quality |
| 5. | 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 | |
| su'perlatively | |
| —adv | |
| su'perlativeness | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
superlative
late 14c., from O.Fr. superlatif (13c.), from L.L. superlativus "exaggerated, superlative," from L. superlatus "exaggerated" (used as pp. of superferre "carry over or beyond"), from super "beyond" (see super-) + lat- "carry," from *tlat-, pp. stem of tollere "to take away"
EXPAND(see extol). The noun is attested from 1530, originally in the grammatical sense.
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Cultural Dictionary
superlative definition
The form of an adjective indicating the greatest degree of the quality that the adjective describes. Best is the superlative form of good; fastest is the superlative form of fast; most charming is the superlative form of charming. The usual superlative takes the ending -est. (Compare comparative.)
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Dynamo Rating For Superlative
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