Link Centre Dictionary

superlative

su·per·la·tive

UK/suːˈpɜːlətɪv/ US/sjuːˈpɜːlətɪv/ uncommon
noun (3) adjective (1)

noun

1.

an exaggerated expression (usually of praise)

  • “the critics lavished superlatives on it”
2.

the highest level or degree attainable

  • “his landscapes were deemed the acme of beauty”
  • “the artist”
  • “;”
  • “;”
  • “;”
  • “;”
Synonyms
3.

the superlative form of an adjective

  • “best”
  • “good”

adjective

1.

Origin

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”).

Phrases

  • absolute superlative
  • relative superlative
  • superlative degree
  • superlative of inferiority
  • superlative of superiority

Related words

Word family

Broader terms

WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.