Lexic.us

Definition of Superlative

1. Adjective. Highest in quality.

2. Noun. An exaggerated expression (usually of praise). "The critics lavished superlatives on it"

3. Noun. The highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development. "At the top of his profession"

4. Noun. The superlative form of an adjective or adverb. "`most surely' is the superlative of the adverb `surely'"

Definition of Superlative

1. a. Lifted up to the highest degree; most eminent; surpassing all other; supreme; as, superlative wisdom or prudence; a woman of superlative beauty; the superlative glory of the divine character.

2. n. That which is highest or most eminent; the utmost degree.

Definition of Superlative

1. Noun. The highest extent or degree of something. ¹

2. Noun. (grammar) The form of an adjective that expresses which of more than two items has the highest degree of the quality expressed by the adjective; in English, formed by appending "-est" to the end of the adjective (for some short adjectives only) or putting "most" before it. ¹

3. Noun. (informal) An adjective used to praise something exceptional. ¹

4. Adjective. Exceptionally good; of the highest quality; superb. ¹

5. Adjective. (grammar) Of or relating to a superlative. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Superlative

1. [n -S]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Superlative

superjets superjock superjocks superjumbo superjumbos superkey superkeys superkick superkicks superkingdom

superkingdoms superlain superlarge superlation superlations superlative (current term) superlative degree superlatively superlativeness superlatives

superlattice superlattices superlawyer superlawyers superlay superleague superleagues superleak superleaks superlean

Literary usage of Superlative

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. English Grammar Simplified: Its Study Made Easy by James Champlin Fernald (1916)
"A good test for the use of the superlative is whether we could use after it ... If so, the superlative is correct; if not, we should use the comparative. ..."

2. English Grammar Simplified: Its Study Made Easy by James Champlin Fernald (1916)
"A good test for the use of the superlative is whether we could use after it ... If so, the superlative is correct; if not, we should use the comparative. ..."

3. Critical Grammar of the Hebrew Language by Isaac Nordheimer (1841)
"superlative Degree. § 784. An attributive indicating the superlative degree in Hebrew remains as in the comparative unchanged. The distinction between the ..."

4. The Mother Tongue by Sarah Louise Arnold, George Lyman Kittredge, John Hays Gardiner (1901)
"USE OF COMPARATIVE AND superlative. 343. It is a common mistake to use the superlative degree of adjectives and adverbs for the comparative. ..."

5. The Mother Tongue by Sarah Louise Arnold, George Lyman Kittredge, John Hays Gardiner (1901)
"USE OF COMPARATIVE AND superlative. 343. It is a common mistake to use the superlative degree of adjectives and adverbs for the comparative. ..."

6. The Mother Tongue by Sarah Louise Arnold, George Lyman Kittredge, John Hays Gardiner (1901)
"USE OF COMPARATIVE AND superlative. 343. It is a common mistake to use the superlative degree of adjectives and adverbs for the comparative. ..."

7. The English Language by Robert Gordon Latham (1855)
"The superlative degree is formed from the positive by the addition of the ... But the superlative may also be formed from the comparative by changing the r ..."

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