superlative

CEFRB2

/suːˈpɜːlətɪv/

adjective · noun

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    adjective

    Extremely good or impressive.

  2. 02

    noun

    A form showing the highest degree of comparison.

Examples

  • Harun's review was brimming with superlative adjectives.

  • Daniel is amazing, wonderful, fantastic, and many other superlatives I can’t think of right now!

At a glance

Sits at B2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
2
Citations
3
Synonyms
5

Also pronounced

  • /sjuːˈpɜːlətɪv/
  • /sʉːˈpɜːlətɪv/

Deep Dive

adjective

Extra meanings

  1. Exceptionally good; of the highest quality.

  2. Of or relating to the superlative degree (a degree of comparison of adjectives and adverbs).

  3. Having the power to carry something or someone above, over or beyond others.

More examples

In context

  • A twist is accordingly something especially good, and a big twist is the superlative of excellence.

  • The Governor-General was entertaining at a civil banquet in the evening. He is reported as having made a “superlative speech, congratulating the Victorians on their loyalty; […].”

Synonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The critic gave the film a blank review, calling it the best he had ever seen.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

adjective

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”).