[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/superlative/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [S](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/s/) / superlative

# superlative

adjective (superlative); noun (a superlative, superlatives)

«superlative» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/superlative/#m1)
2. (formal) Superlative means extremely good, of the highest quality: a superlative performance. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/superlative/#m2)
3. (noun) Superlatives can also be words of very high praise: "The review was full of superlatives." [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/superlative/#m3)

### 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/superlative/#x1)
- The superlative of "good" is "best". [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/superlative/#x2)
- Use "the" before a superlative: the fastest runner. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/superlative/#x3)
- The chef cooked a superlative meal. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/superlative/#x4)
- The critics ran out of superlatives to describe the show. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/superlative/#x5)
- Find the superlative: "Mount Everest is the highest mountain on Earth." [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/superlative/#x6)
- "Most exciting" is a superlative made with "most". [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/superlative/#x7)

### 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/superlative/#x1)

### 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).

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «superlative» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/superlative/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«superlative» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/superlative.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «superlative» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/superlative/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«superlative» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/superlative.html) on Mova free.