superlative
/sʉːˈpɜːlətɪv/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.79 in modern English
16
Scrabble Score
11
Letters
4
Syllables
10
Unique Chars
Meaning
adj
Exceptionally good; of the highest quality.
adj
Of or relating to the superlative degree (a degree of comparison of adjectives and adverbs).
noun
The degree of comparison of an adjective or adverb used when comparing three or more entities in terms of a certain property or a certain way of doing something. In English, the superlative of superiority is formed by adding the suffix -est or the word most (e.g. tiniest, most fully); the superlative of inferiority, by adding the word least (e.g. least big, least fully).
noun
An adjective or adverb in the superlative degree.
Example Sentences
- "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; […].”"
- "A twist is accordingly something especially good, and a big twist is the superlative of excellence."
- "Daniel is amazing, wonderful, fantastic, and many other superlatives I can’t think of right now!"
- "Sometimes it feels like there are no more superlatives left. Seriously, what else can be said about this little guy with the No 10 shirt and magic in his feet other than to ask, perhaps, whether there is anyone who wants to persist with the argument that Pelé, or Diego Maradona, or any of the others, have ever played this sport any better?"
Etymology
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”).
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: superlatyf, superlatif, superlātīvus, superlātus
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /sʉːˈpɜːlətɪv/
- British English: /suːˈpɜːlətɪv/