First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1superlative
adjective su·per·la·tive \su̇-ˈpər-lə-tiv\
grammar : of or relating to the form of an adjective or adverb that is used to indicate the greatest degree of a particular quality
: of very high quality
Full Definition of SUPERLATIVE
1
: of, relating to, or constituting the degree of grammatical comparison that denotes an extreme or unsurpassed level or extent
See superlative defined for English-language learners
See superlative defined for kids
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Origin of SUPERLATIVE
Related to SUPERLATIVE
- Synonyms
- A-OK, A1, awesome, bang-up, banner, beautiful, blue-chip, blue-ribbon, boffo, bonny (also bonnie) [chiefly British], boss [slang], brag, brave, bully, bumper, capital, choice, classic, cool [slang], corking, crackerjack, cracking, dandy, divine, dope [slang], down [slang], dynamite, fab, fabulous, famous, fantabulous [slang], fantastic, fine, first-class, first-rate, first-string, five-star, four-star, frontline, gangbusters (also gangbuster), gilt-edged (or gilt-edge), gone [slang], grand, great, groovy, heavenly, high-class, hot, hype [slang], immense, jim-dandy, keen, lovely, marvelous (or marvellous), mean, neat, nifty, noble, number one (also 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, excellent, supernal, swell, terrific, tip-top, top, top-flight, top-notch, top-of-the-line, topping [chiefly British], top-shelf, unsurpassed, wizard [chiefly British], wonderful
Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms
2superlative
noun
grammar : the form of an adjective or adverb that is used to indicate the greatest degree of a particular quality : the superlative form of an adjective or adverb
Full Definition of SUPERLATIVE
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
See superlative defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of SUPERLATIVE
15th century
Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms
SUPERLATIVE Defined for Kids
1superlative
adjective su·per·la·tive \su̇-ˈpər-lə-tiv\
Definition of SUPERLATIVE for Kids
1
: being the form of an adjective or adverb that shows the greatest degree of comparison <“Best” is the superlative form of “good.”>
2
: better than all others : supreme <superlative work>
2superlative
noun
Definition of SUPERLATIVE for Kids
: the superlative degree or a superlative form in a language
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