Added 9 October 2026
superlative
/suːˈpɜːlətɪv/ noun
Latin root: superlātīvus Wiktionary
noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about superlative at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
-
An exaggerated expression (usually of praise).
the critics lavished superlatives on it
-
The highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development.
his landscapes were deemed the acme of beauty
-
The superlative form of an adjective or adverb.
`fastest' is the superlative of the adjective `fast'
adjective
- Highest in quality.
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”).
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)