superlative

Meanings

1. 1adjectivebefore a nounformal

   Extremely good; so fine that it seems better than anything you could compare it to.

   Grammar: Usually placed before a noun: a superlative performance. It sounds formal and a little grand.

   Patterns

   • superlative quality
   • a superlative example of something

   The pianist gave a superlative performance that left the whole hall silent.

   She earned the job through superlative skill rather than connections.

   The restaurant is known for its superlative seafood.

2. 2nouncountabletechnical

   In grammar, the form of an adjective or adverb that shows the highest degree of a quality, such as fastest or most carefully.

   Grammar: Countable: 'Best' is the superlative of 'good'. Often used with the, as in the superlative form.

   Patterns

   • the superlative of something
   • in the superlative

   The superlative of 'happy' is 'happiest'.

   Students often forget that long adjectives form the superlative with 'most'.

   Use the superlative when you compare one thing with a whole group.

3. 3nounusually plural

   An exaggerated word or phrase of praise, used to describe something as the very best or greatest.

   Grammar: Usually plural and often after in: he spoke in superlatives. The singular is rare.

   Patterns

   • speak in superlatives
   • be full of superlatives

   The reviews were full of superlatives, calling the film a masterpiece.

   He tends to speak in superlatives about everything he buys.

   Advertisers rely on superlatives like 'ultimate' and 'unbeatable'.

Word forms

Common combinations

superlative performance

The goalkeeper's superlative performance won the match for his team.

superlative skill

The surgeon operated with superlative skill.

superlative form

The superlative form of 'bad' is 'worst'.

speak in superlatives

Critics spoke in superlatives about the new novel.

absolute superlative

'Most delicious' is an absolute superlative in this sentence, not a comparison.

Synonyms and how they differ

outstanding

Outstanding is more common in everyday speech, while superlative sounds more formal and suggests quality at the very peak.

supreme

Supreme stresses being the highest in rank or degree, whereas superlative stresses excellence of quality.

exceptional

Exceptional says something is unusual and far above average, but not necessarily the best possible, as superlative implies.

peerless

Peerless is more literary and means nothing else equals it, which is a stronger claim of uniqueness than superlative makes.

Opposites

Word family

superlatively adverb

in an extremely good way, to the highest degree

comparative adjective

the grammatical form that compares two things, such as taller

positive adjective

the basic grammatical form of an adjective, such as tall

Commonly confused: superlative or comparative?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “superlative”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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