SUPERLATIVE

greatest, sterling, superlative

(adjective) highest in quality

superlative, superlative degree

(noun) 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’”

superlative

(noun) an exaggerated expression (usually of praise); “the critics lavished superlatives on it”

acme, height, elevation, peak, pinnacle, summit, superlative, meridian, tiptop, top

(noun) 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”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

superlative (plural superlatives)

The highest extent or degree of something.

Synonyms: acme, apex, height, zenith

(grammar) The form of an adjective that expresses which of several items has the highest degree of the quality expressed by the adjective; in English, formed by appending "-est" to the end of the adjective (for some short adjectives only) or putting "most" before it.

(informal) An adjective used to praise something exceptional.

Synonyms

• (highest degree): acme, peak

Hyponyms

• absolute superlative

• relative superlative

Adjective

superlative (not comparable)

Exceptionally good; of the highest quality; superb.

(grammar) Of or relating to a superlative.

Usage notes

Rather formal, reflecting its Latin etymology; more colloquial alternatives include exceptional, fabulous, above and beyond, and others.

Synonyms

• (exceptionally good): above and beyond, exceptional, extraordinary, superb

Source: Wiktionary

Su`per*la"tive, a. Etym: [L. superlativus, fr. superlatus excessive, used as p.p. of superiorferre, but from a different root: cf. F. superlatif. See Elate, Tolerate.]

1. Lifted up to the highest degree; most eminent; surpassing all other; supreme; as, superlative wisdom or prudence; a woman of superlative beauty; the superlative glory of the divine character.

2. (Gram.)

Definition: Expressing the highest or lowest degree of the quality, manner, etc., denoted by an adjective or an adverb. The superlative degree is formed from the positive by the use of -est, most, or least; as, highest, most pleasant, least bright.

– Su`per*la"tive*ly, adv.

– Su`per*la"tive*ness, n.

Su`per*la"tive, n.

1. That which is highest or most eminent; the utmost degree.

2. (Gram.) (a) The superlative degree of adjectives and adverbs; also, a form or word by which the superlative degree is expressed; as, strongest, wisest, most stormy, least windy, are all superlatives. Absolute superlative, a superlative in an absolute rather than in a comparative or exclusive sense. See Elative.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition