superlative
Americanadjective
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of the highest kind, quality, or order; surpassing all else or others; supreme; extreme.
superlative wisdom.
- Synonyms:
- preeminent, magnificent, excellent, surpassing
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Grammar. of, relating 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.
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being more than is proper or normal; exaggerated in language or style.
noun
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a superlative person or thing.
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the utmost degree; acme.
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Grammar.
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the superlative degree.
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a form in the superlative.
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adjective
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of outstanding quality, degree, etc; supreme
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grammar 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 positive comparative
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(of language or style) excessive; exaggerated
noun
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a thing that excels all others or is of the highest quality
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grammar the superlative form of an adjective
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the highest degree; peak
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The form of an adjective indicating the greatest degree of the quality that the adjective describes. Best is the superlative form of good; fastest is the superlative form of fast; most charming is the superlative form of charming. The usual superlative takes the ending -est. (Compare comparative.)
Other Word Forms
- superlatively adverb
- superlativeness noun
- unsuperlative adjective
- unsuperlatively adverb
- unsuperlativeness noun
Etymology
Origin of superlative
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Late Latin superlātīvus, equivalent to Latin superlāt(us) “excessive, extravagant” (from super- super- + lātus, used as past participle of ferre “to carry, bring” ( bear 1 ) + -īvus -ive; replacing Middle English superlatif, from Old French, from Late Latin, as above
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“The more investors believe in this continuing productivity boom, the more money investors will make as the superlative returns for the leading Mag 7 become the superlative returns for the lagging Rest.”
From Barron's • Jan. 19, 2026
With its work by Andy Warhol, Francesco Clemente, Jean-Michel Basquiat and many others, our critic called the show “a superlative entrée to the movers and shakers of the period.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 7, 2025
When it comes to the superlative, time-eclipsing musical achievements of The Beatles, technological innovation has been there every step of the way.
From Salon • Nov. 21, 2025
McLaren clinched their second consecutive constructors' championship in Singapore with six races still to go, but their superlative form of earlier in the season has taken a dip.
From BBC • Oct. 18, 2025
They were getting the kind of superlative performance they had come to expect, and they had come alive.
From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.