superlative
/suːˈpɜːlətɪv/ (bre, ipa) · [sʊpˈɚlətɪv] /suːˈpɜːrlətɪv/ (ame, ipa) · [sʊpˈɚlətɪv] /su̇-ˈpər-lə-tiv How to pronounce superlative (audio)/ (ame, mw) · /suːˈpɜː.lə.tɪv/ (bre, ipa) · [sʊpˈɚlətɪv] /səˈpɝː.lə.t̬ɪv/ (ame, ipa)
superlative — adjective
- superlativepositive
- more superlativecomparative
- most superlativesuperlative
1. better than all others of the same kind, showing the finest standard.
better than all others of the same kind, showing the finest standard.
The restaurant served a superlative meal after the long mountain walk.
collocation: superlative meal
Nkechi gave a superlative performance in the school jazz concert.
collocation: superlative performance
The guide offered superlative care during the stormy boat crossing.
Everyone agreed that Sari's bread was superlative at the market fair.
- excellent
the most general choice for very high quality
- outstanding
emphasises being noticeably better than others
- first-rate
slightly more informal and often used for services or work
文法句型
superlative + noun
be + superlative
用法筆記
Often used to praise quality or performance in a strong, formal way. Unlike sense 2, this sense describes how good something is, not a grammar label.
常見錯誤
2. describing the grammar pattern used to show that one person or thing has more of
describing the grammar pattern used to show that one person or thing has more of a quality than all others, as in best or most difficult.
Our grammar chart lists tallest as a superlative adjective.
pattern: superlative adjective
The teacher underlined the superlative ending in the word smallest.
collocation: superlative ending
In that sentence, most careful works as a superlative form.
Jude forgot that the already marks a superlative adjective in English.
文法句型
superlative + adjective
superlative + form
用法筆記
Usually appears with words such as form, degree, adjective, or adverb. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense talks about grammar classification rather than quality.
常見錯誤
superlative — noun
- superlativesingular
- superlativesplural
1. the grammar pattern that shows the top degree of comparison for a describing wor
the grammar pattern that shows the top degree of comparison for a describing word or a word that modifies an action.
Ms. Chen explained that fastest is the superlative form of fast.
collocation: superlative form
During the quiz, Bilal circled best as the superlative of good.
The workbook asked students to change tall into its superlative form.
In Korean class, the teacher compared comparative and superlative endings.
文法句型
the superlative of + adjective
superlative form
用法筆記
Used in grammar talk, often after the or with words like form and degree. Distinguish from adjective sense 2, which uses superlative to describe another grammar term.
常見錯誤
2. the greatest point something can reach in strength, value, success, or developme
the greatest point something can reach in strength, value, success, or development.
Winning the science prize felt like the superlative of Lena's school years.
pattern: the superlative of + period of life
After months of training, crossing the line was the superlative of Imran's ambition.
For the village, clean drinking water was the superlative of progress.
The chef called the harvest dinner the superlative of local cooking.
文法句型
the superlative of + noun phrase
用法筆記
Usually appears in elevated writing to describe a peak or highest point. Distinguish from sense 3: this sense names the peak itself, not words of praise about it.
常見錯誤
3. language that praises someone or something so strongly that it may sound bigger
language that praises someone or something so strongly that it may sound bigger than the facts justify.
The reviewer's superlatives made the small bookstore sound world-famous.
pattern: superlatives made + noun + sound + adjective
At dinner, Christopher spoke in superlatives about the soup his aunt made.
collocation: speak in superlatives
The campaign ad was packed with superlatives and very few facts.
Beatriz's farewell speech avoided superlatives and thanked the team plainly.
文法句型
speak in superlatives
superlatives about + noun
用法筆記
Often used in the plural when someone is praising too strongly. Distinguish from sense 2: here the word means the praise expressions themselves, not the highest stage of something.