Basic Details
Word: Superlative
Part of Speech: Adjective; noun
Meaning: Of the very highest quality. In grammar, the superlative is the form of an adjective or adverb that shows the most, as in tallest or best.
Synonyms: excellent, outstanding, supreme
Antonyms: poor, ordinary
How to Spell Superlative
Syllables: su - per - la - tive
Tricky part: The vowel after l is a, not e: lative. Students also write the ending as tiv.
Watch out for: superletive, superlitive, superlativ, supperlative
Memory tip: Super + lat + ive. Think super last: the superlative is the last step up (tall, taller, tallest), and la comes straight after super.
Usage Examples
Example 1: Best is the superlative of good.
Example 2: The hotel served a superlative thali with twelve dishes.
Example 3: Her superlative performance won her the gold medal.
Fun Fact
Short adjectives usually form the superlative with est (tallest), but most long ones use most instead (most beautiful).
Practise the CREST Way
Spell-o-Spell
Choose the meaning of the correctly spelt word:
1. comperative 2. superlative 3. adjectve 4. possesive
a) the form of a word that compares two things
b) showing who owns something
c) the form of a word that shows the highest degree
d) a word that describes a noun
Show answer
c) the form of a word that shows the highest degree. Comparative comes from compare, so it keeps the a; adjective needs its i, and possessive has ss twice.
Word Cookie
Insert the correct letters to form a word:
sup_rl_tive
a) i, a
b) e, a
c) a, a
d) e, e
Show answer
b) e, a. It begins with super and continues with lative.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the letters in the sentence and choose the word they make:
The critics praised the young dancer's leitvraesup skill on stage.
a) superlative
b) speculative
c) superficial
d) supportive
Show answer
a) superlative. Speculative needs a c, supportive two p's and an o, and superficial an f and a c.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which word is in the superlative degree?
a) narrowest
b) narrowly
c) narrow
d) narrower
Show answer
a) narrowest
2. A superlative meal is ____.
a) excellent
b) cold
c) too spicy
d) very small
Show answer
a) excellent
