superlative

/sju:'pə:lətiv/

Thân thiện

Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Of the highest quality or degree; surpassing all others: Used to describe something that is the best, most extreme, or most excellent of its kind.
   • (Grammar) Relating to the form of an adjective or adverb that expresses the highest degree of a quality: Denoting the grammatical form used for comparison, indicating the extreme or utmost level (e.g., fastest, most beautiful, least interesting).

2. Noun:

   • (Grammar) The superlative form of an adjective or adverb: The word itself when in its highest degree of comparison.
   • An exaggerated or hyperbolic expression of praise: A statement that praises something or someone to an extreme degree, often using exaggerated language.
   • The highest degree or peak of achievement or quality: The utmost point or stage of development.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • She gave a superlative performance that earned her a standing ovation.
  • In the phrase "the most difficult challenge," the word "most difficult" is in the superlative degree.

• Noun:

  • "Best" is the superlative of the adjective "good."
  • The review was filled with superlatives, calling the film "the greatest masterpiece of the century."
  • His work represents the superlative of modern design.

Advanced Usage

• "in superlatives": Speaking with extreme praise or exaggeration.

  • He described his vacation in superlatives, making it sound like paradise.

• "the superlative of": Used to state the superlative form of a specific word.

  • "Most rapidly" is the superlative of the adverb "rapidly."

Variants and Related Words

• Superlatively (adverb): In a superlative manner; to an extreme degree.
  • The food was superlatively good.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Supreme, paramount, peerless, unsurpassed, consummate, extreme.
• Noun (for praise): Exaggeration, hyperbole, extravagance, encomium.

Different Meanings

1. Grammatical Term: Specifically refers to the form of an adjective or adverb (e.g., , ).
2. General Praise/Quality: Refers to the highest level of praise or the peak of quality in a non-grammatical context.

Idioms and Phrases

• To speak in superlatives: To describe something using only the highest praise and exaggerated terms.
  • Every customer speaks in superlatives about the chef's tasting menu.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. highest in quality

Noun

1. the superlative form of an adjective or adverb
   • `fastest' is the superlative of the adjective `fast'
   • `least famous' is the superlative degree of the adjective `famous'
   • `most surely' is the superlative of the adverb `surely'
2. the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development
   • his landscapes were deemed the acme of beauty
   • the artist's gifts are at their acme
   • at the height of her career
   • the peak of perfection
   • summer was at its peak
   • ...catapulted Einstein to the pinnacle of fame
   • the summit of his ambition
   • so many highest superlatives achieved by man
   • at the top of his profession
3. an exaggerated expression (usually of praise)
   • the critics lavished superlatives on it

Từ đồng nghĩa

• greatest
• sterling
• superlative degree