Superlative
/suːˈpɜːr.lə.tɪv/noun
Expressing the highest degree of a quality, or the highest-ranking form in a class.
Did you know?Superlative comes from Latin superlativus, a grammatical term built from superare, meaning “to surpass,” so even grammar was once about domination and rank.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*uper
“over, above”
Latin
Latin
super
“above, over, beyond”
Late Latin
Latin
superlātīvus
“exaggerated, superlative; literally “most above””
Old French
Old French
superlatif
“superlative”
Middle English
English
superlatif
“expressing the highest degree”
Modern English
English
superlative
“of the highest degree or quality”