superlative

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "superlative" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the highest degree of comparison in adjectives or adverbs, often to describe something as the best or most extreme in a particular quality. Example: "She is the superlative example of dedication in our team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This piece is hugley indebted to Uli Hesse's superlative Tor!

The Guardian - Sport

Some real surprises this morning as the Bafta nominations were announced: observers were startled at the non-showing of Mike Leigh's superlative Mr Turner, not even in the best British film category, which found room for Paddington.

The Guardian - Film

Now, across the highway, stands Facebook's latest superlative: the mother of all office park sheds, said to contain "the largest open floor plan in the world", designed by globe-trotting titanium-crumpling starchitect, Frank Gehry.

The Guardian - Arts

further and furthest are the comparative and superlative of far as in degree (eg further discussion, the candidate furthest to the left).

The Guardian

A bit like that 80s hard/jazzcore band fronted by Wire magazine favourite Kevin Martin, God, or Brilliant, that other 80s group with a superlative, begging-for-a-kicking name.

The Guardian - Music

farther and farthest are the comparative and superlative of far as in distance (eg farther away, the farthest point north).

The Guardian

There are great campsites, several superlative hotels, some challenging walks, and the chance to see guanaco and condor against quite stunning landscapes.

The Guardian - Travel

Above all, its musical achievements deserve the most praise: whether during the early years, between 1955 and 1989 under Herbert von Karajan or now, the Berlin Philharmonic was and is above all a superlative orchestra and should be hailed as such.

The Guardian - Music

It might, for example, have suffered the fate of Paul Thomas Anderson's superlative Inherent Vice.

The Guardian - Film

There are no superlative dramas.

The Guardian

As it turns out there never was much gold, if any: the only superlative likely to adhere to the patch of Borneo in which a small Canadian firm, Bre-X, claimed to have discovered one of the world's biggest-ever gold deposits is that it occasioned one of the world's biggest-ever frauds.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "superlative" to describe something that is of the highest quality or degree when you want to emphasize its exceptional nature.

Common error

Avoid using "superlative" in casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or pretentious in those settings. Choose simpler words like "great" or "amazing" instead.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "superlative" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate the highest degree of a quality. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across a wide array of contexts, as exemplified by the numerous entries in the example database.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "superlative" functions primarily as an adjective to denote the highest degree of quality. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently employed in various contexts, most notably in news and media, encyclopedias, and science. While it conveys strong praise, it's best reserved for neutral to formal settings, avoiding overuse in casual conversations. For alternative options, consider words like "outstanding", "exceptional", or "excellent" to maintain clarity and appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outstanding

Emphasizes exceeding ordinary standards.

exceptional

Highlights being an exception to the norm.

excellent

Focuses on a very high degree of goodness.

first-rate

Indicates top quality or rank.

splendid

Suggests magnificence and impressiveness.

remarkable

Highlights being worthy of attention due to uncommonness.

unrivaled

Conveys that something has no equal or competitor.

peerless

Implies being without equal in terms of quality.

consummate

Highlights a high degree of skill and flair.

preeminent

Focuses on surpassing all others in a specific field or quality.

FAQs

How is "superlative" used in a sentence?

Use "superlative" to describe something of the highest quality or degree. For example, "The chef prepared a superlative meal", or "Her performance was a superlative example of dedication".

What words can I use in place of "superlative"?

You can use alternatives like "outstanding", "exceptional", or "excellent" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "most superlative"?

No, "superlative" already implies the highest degree. Using "most superlative" is redundant. Simply use "superlative".

What is the difference between "superlative" and "superior"?

"Superior" means better than average or better than another thing, while "superlative" implies the absolute highest degree or quality. For example, "This product is superior to its competitors" versus "This is a superlative example of modern art".