What Is a Superlative Adjective? | Definition & Examples
“Superlative” means embodying a quality to the greatest extent. A superlative adjective denotes the highest or lowest degree of a given attribute (e.g., “fastest,” “least trusted”) in a comparison of three or more things.
Most superlative adjectives are formed either by adding the suffix “-est” (e.g., “youngest”) or by adding “most” (e.g., “most famous”) or “least” (e.g., “least popular”) before the base adjective. The specific form depends primarily on the number of syllables in the base adjective.
She chose the costliest dress from the collection.
This is the most exquisite bird I’ve ever seen.
What is a superlative adjective?
A superlative adjective describes a noun or pronoun as having a particular characteristic to the greatest or least degree in comparison with multiple other people or things.
All superlative adjectives make comparisons, whether implicitly (e.g., “Pelé was the greatest of all time”) or explicitly (e.g., “Amanda is the tallest of the three sisters”).
The nation with the fastest train in commercial operation is China.
The farthest galaxy is billions of lightyears from us.
Sentences containing superlative adjectives typically follow a specific structure: noun/pronoun (subject) + verb + “the” + superlative adjective (e.g., “You are the best”). Other sentences may be more complex. For example, they may include a noun modified by the superlative adjective or a prepositional phrase.
They built the tallest skyscraper in the city.
How are superlative adjectives formed?
Most superlative adjectives are formed following simple patterns based on syllable count. There are also irregular adjectives that don’t follow any particular pattern and must be memorized.
Typically, one- and two-syllable adjectives can be changed to the superlative form by adding the suffix “-est.” For adjectives with three or more syllables (and some adjectives with two) add “most” before the base adjective.
| Syllable count | Superlative form | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| One-syllable | Add “-est” | lean; leanest
green; greenest grand; grandest |
| Two syllables | Add “-est” | clever; cleverest
narrow; narrowest handsome; handsomest |
| Three or more syllables | Add “most” before the adjective | adventurous; most adventurous
curious; most curious spectacular; most spectacular |
If an adjective has an “-e” ending, the superlative can be formed by adding “-st.” For most adjectives ending in “-y,” change the “-y” to “i” and add “-est.” For adjectives that end in a consonant-vowel-consonant pattern, double the final consonant and add “-est” to form the superlative.
| Original ending | Superlative ending | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| “-e” | Add “-st” | brave; bravest
large; largest wide; widest |
| “-y” | Change “-y” to “i” and add “-est” | lovely; loveliest
spicy; spiciest noisy; noisiest |
| Consonant + vowel + consonant | Double the final consonant and add “-est” | hot; hottest
red; reddest fit; fittest |
Irregular superlative adjectives
Some adjectives are irregular (i.e., their comparative and superlative forms deviate from the standard patterns). The superlative form of an irregular adjective is not formed by adding the “-est” suffix or using “most” before the positive form of the adjective.
However, the superlative forms of these adjectives do use the definite article, “the” (e.g., “It was the furthest thing from my mind”).
| Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| good | better | best |
| bad | worse | worst |
| far | further/farther | furthest/farthest |
| much/many | more | most |
| little | less | least |
Comparative and superlative adjectives
The comparative and superlative degrees both express comparisons, but they differ in scope. Comparative adjectives are typically used to compare two distinct people or things. Superlative adjectives widen the field of comparison and emphasize that a person or thing stands out as superior or inferior to multiple others.
Comparative adjectives are followed by “than” and generally adhere to the following pattern: noun/pronoun (subject) + verb + comparative adjective + “than” + noun/pronoun (e.g., “I am faster than my brother”).
The Burj Khalifa is the world’s tallest building.
Our pitbull is friendlier than the neighbor’s poodle.
Our pitbull is the friendliest dog in the neighborhood.
You seem more conscientious than your brother.
You are the most conscientious person I know.
For example, “Rob is the best player” can also be expressed as “Rob is better than any other player.”
Using a comparative adjective in this instance emphasizes the idea that Rob has been compared against each other player individually.
Frequently asked questions about superlative adjectives
- What is the difference between a superlative adjective and a comparative adjective?
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Superlative adjectives express the highest degree of a certain quality in a comparison of three or more things (e.g., the superlative form of “fast” is “fastest”).
Comparative adjectives express that one thing embodies a quality more than another in a comparison of two things (e.g., the comparative form of “fast” is “faster”).
- What is the comparative degree?
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The comparative degree is a grammatical form used to compare two people or things and indicate that one has a higher degree of a certain quality.
A comparative adjective can also be called an adjective in the comparative degree.
- What is the superlative form of the adjective “bad”?
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“Bad” is an example of an adjective with an irregular superlative form: “worst.”
Note that the superlative “worst” is often confused with the similar-sounding comparative form, “worse.”
- What is the superlative form of the adjective light?
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The superlative form of the adjective “light” is “lightest.” “Light” is an example of a regular one-syllable adjective that is transformed into a superlative by simply adding “-est.”
