superlative

UK: /suːˈpɜː^rlətɪv/

US: /səˈpɝlətɪv, sʊ-/

US: (sə pûr′lə tiv, sŏŏ-)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

su•per•la•tive /səˈpɜrlətɪv, sʊ-/   adj. 

1. of the highest kind or order:
   The dinner was superlative.
2. Grammar 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. [countable] a superlative person or thing.
4. Grammar
   • Grammar [uncountable* usually: the + ~] the superlative degree of an adjective or adverb:
     Put the adjective good into the superlative.
   • Grammar [countable] the superlative form of an adjective or adverb:
     The words and phrases smallest, best, and most carefully are superlatives.

su•per•la•tive•ly, adv.: 

She performed superlatively well during the concert.

See -lat¹-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

su•per•la•tive  (sə pûr′lə tiv, sŏŏ-), adj. 

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. Cf. comparative (def. 4), positive (def. 20).
3. being more than is proper or normal;
   exaggerated in language or style.

n. 

4. a superlative person or thing.
5. the utmost degree;
   acme.
6. Grammar
   • the superlative degree.
   • a form in the superlative.

• Late Latin, as above
• Old French
• 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
• Middle English 1350–1400

su•per′la•tive•ly, adv. 
su•per′la•tive•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. surpassing, excellent, magnificent, preeminent.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

superlative / suːˈpɜːlətɪv/ adjective

1. of outstanding quality, degree, etc; supreme
2. 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

noun

1. a thing that excels all others or is of the highest quality
2. the superlative form of an adjective
3. the highest degree; peak

Etymology: 14th Century: from Old French superlatif, via Late Latin from Latin superlātus extravagant, from superferre to carry beyond, from super- + ferre to bear

suˈperlatively adverb

suˈperlativeness noun