superlative

Everyday

1. (grammar) A superlative is the form of an adjective or adverb that shows the most or least: biggest, fastest, most beautiful, best, worst. tree →
2. (formal) Superlative means extremely good, of the highest quality: a superlative performance. tree →
3. (noun) Superlatives can also be words of very high praise: "The review was full of superlatives." tree →

In the lessons

In English grammar lessons (and SATs), pupils learn comparatives (bigger, more) and superlatives (biggest, most): short words take -est, long words take "most", and some are irregular (good, better, best; bad, worse, worst). In maths, superlatives in word problems ("the tallest", "the fewest") tell you to find the maximum or minimum. Phrases: "superlative form", "run out of superlatives".

Examples

• "Tallest" is the superlative of "tall". tree →
• The superlative of "good" is "best". tree →
• Use "the" before a superlative: the fastest runner. tree →
• The chef cooked a superlative meal. tree →
• The critics ran out of superlatives to describe the show. tree →
• Find the superlative: "Mount Everest is the highest mountain on Earth." tree →
• "Most exciting" is a superlative made with "most". tree →

Note

Rules: one syllable: add -est (big, biggest — double the final consonant after a short vowel); ending in y: change to -iest (happy, happiest); long words: "most" + adjective. Do not use both: not "most biggest". In maths problems, superlatives mean largest (maximum) or smallest (minimum).

In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: The sentence says God is beyond comparison in His unity, which matches the Shema, "the LORD is One." In the primary lessons: In English grammar lessons (and SATs), pupils learn comparatives (bigger, more) and superlatives (biggest, most): short words take -est, long words take "most", and some are irregular (good, better, best; bad, worse, worst). In maths, superlatives in word problems ("the tallest", "the fewest") tell you to find the maximum or minimum. Phrases: "superlative form", "run out of superlatives".

Examples

• These ten Sephiroth which are, moreover, ineffable, have their end even as their beginning, conjoined, even as is a flame to a burning coal: for our God is superlative in his unity, and does not permit any second one. (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1887) tree →

Note

Rules: one syllable: add -est (big, biggest — double the final consonant after a short vowel); ending in y: change to -iest (happy, happiest); long words: "most" + adjective. Do not use both: not "most biggest". In maths problems, superlatives mean largest (maximum) or smallest (minimum).