superlative
gb/sʊpˈɚlɪtɪv/ us/sʊpˈɚlɪtɪv/
B2
English
felsőfok, kiváló, legnagyobb, szuperlatívusz
NOUN
B2
TECHNICAL
1
felsőfok
B1
Usage pattern:
the superlative (of [adjective/adverb]); in the superlative
In English, “best” is the superlative of “good.”
Az angolban a „best” a „good” felsőfoka.
To compare three or more items, you usually use the superlative form.
Három vagy több dolog összehasonlításához általában a felsőfokú alakot használjuk.
Some adjectives have irregular superlatives, like “far” becoming “farthest.”
Learner examples
“Biggest” is a superlative.
A „biggest” felsőfokú alak.
We use the superlative with “the.”
A felsőfokot a „the” névelővel használjuk.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse the comparative (bigger/more) with the superlative (biggest/most).
Meaning
highest degree in grammar
Collocations
superlative form
|superlative degree
|superlative adjective
|superlative adverb
|use the superlative
|form the superlative
|irregular superlative
|superlative ending
|superlative construction
|superlative comparison
Synonyms
highest degree (A descriptive grammar term for the same idea.)
Antonyms
comparative (The form used to compare two things (e.g., bigger, more quickly).)
|
positive (The base form without comparison (e.g., big, quickly).)
Themes
language_learning
|grammar
|education
Definition
The grammar form for “the most” or “the -est.”
In grammar, the form of an adjective or adverb that expresses the highest degree of a quality among three or more things (for example, best, biggest, most quickly).
C1
2
kiváló
B1
Usage pattern:
a superlative [performance/work/result]; superlative [skill/quality]
The restaurant is known for its superlative service.
Az étterem a kiváló kiszolgálásáról ismert.
She gave a superlative performance in the final.
Kiváló teljesítményt nyújtott a döntőben.
The report praised the team’s superlative work under pressure.
Learner examples
He did a superlative job.
Kiváló munkát végzett.
The hotel has superlative service.
A hotel kiszolgálása kiváló.
Common mistake:
Learners may use it where simple words like “great” or “excellent” sound more natural in casual speech.
Meaning
extremely good; outstanding
Collocations
superlative performance
|superlative work
|superlative results
|superlative service
|superlative skill
|superlative talent
|superlative quality
|superlative achievement
|superlative craftsmanship
|superlative effort
Synonyms
excellent (More common and less formal.)
|
outstanding (Emphasizes being noticeably better than others.)
|
exceptional (Stresses being unusually good.)
Antonyms
poor (Low quality or low standard.)
|
mediocre (Average and not impressive.)
Themes
daily_life
|media
|education
|work
Definition
Very, very good; excellent.
Extremely good; of the highest quality or standard.
C1
FORMAL
3
legnagyobb
B2
Usage pattern:
superlative [importance/urgency/need/priority]
This issue is of superlative importance to public safety.
Ez a kérdés a közbiztonság szempontjából a legnagyobb fontosságú.
The procedure must be carried out with superlative care.
Az eljárást a legnagyobb gondossággal kell végrehajtani.
They treated the data with superlative caution.
Learner examples
Safety is of superlative importance.
A biztonság a legnagyobb fontosságú.
Use superlative care with this tool.
Ezt az eszközt a legnagyobb gondossággal használd.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this sense with the grammar term; in context it modifies nouns like “importance” or “urgency.”
Meaning
highest possible degree; extreme
Collocations
superlative importance
|superlative urgency
|superlative need
|superlative priority
|superlative care
|superlative effort
|superlative difficulty
|superlative degree
|superlative seriousness
|superlative significance
Synonyms
utmost (Common formal synonym meaning ‘the greatest possible’.)
|
supreme (Often implies the highest rank or authority as well as degree.)
|
maximum (Focuses on the largest possible amount.)
Antonyms
minimal (The smallest possible amount or degree.)
|
slight (Small in degree or importance.)
Themes
formal_writing
|descriptions
Definition
The greatest or most extreme possible.
Of the greatest possible degree, amount, or intensity; extreme or utmost.
NOUN
C1
4
Usage pattern:
superlatives about [someone/something]; full of superlatives
The review was packed with superlatives about the lead actor.
A kritika tele volt szuperlatívuszokkal a főszereplőről.
She tends to speak in superlatives when she’s excited.
Ha izgatott, hajlamos szuperlatívuszokban beszélni.
Not everyone agreed with the superlatives he used to describe the product.
Learner examples
The critic used many superlatives.
A kritikus sok szuperlatívuszt használt.
Please don’t use superlatives if it isn’t true.
Kérlek, ne használj szuperlatívuszokat, ha nem igaz.
Common mistake:
Learners may think it only means the grammar form; in reviews it can mean ‘high praise.’
Meaning
extravagant praise words
Collocations
lavish superlatives
|endless superlatives
|gushing superlatives
|effusive superlatives
|string of superlatives
|superlatives about the film
|superlatives from critics
|heap superlatives on
|full of superlatives
|words of superlative praise
Synonyms
rave (More informal; often about a review.)
|
accolade (More formal; focuses on praise/awards given.)
|
compliment (More general and usually less intense.)
Antonyms
criticism (Negative judgment rather than praise.)
|
condemnation (Strong negative judgment.)
Themes
communication
|media
|opinions
Definition
Very strong words of praise.
A word, phrase, or remark expressing very high praise, often more enthusiastic than seems fully justified; usually used in the plural (superlatives).
Grammar
Dictionary form
superlative
IPA
GB/sʊpˈɚlɪtɪv/
US/sʊpˈɚlɪtɪv/
Syllables & stress
su - per - lat - ive (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (per)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: superlative
Noun
- Base: superlative
- Plural: superlatives
Expressions
full of superlatives
1/fˈʊl əv sʊpˈɚlɪtɪvz/
fixed phrase
using too much praise
Using many strong words like “the best.”
Examples
- The article was full of superlatives about the new phone.
- His introduction was full of superlatives, but the product was only average.
Learner examples
- The review is full of superlatives.
superlative adjective
1/sʊpˈɚlɪtɪv ˈæd͡ʒɪktɪv/
fixed phrase
technical
Adjective form for highest degree
A form of an adjective that shows the highest or lowest level in a group, often ending in -est or using "most".
Examples
- "Tallest" is the superlative adjective of "tall".
- We use a superlative adjective when we talk about one thing that is the most or least in a group.
- The teacher asked us to write three sentences using a superlative adjective.
superlative adjective
1/sʊpˈɚlɪtɪv ˈæd͡ʒɪktɪv/
fixed phrase
technical
adjective in superlative
An adjective like “the biggest” or “the most interesting.”
Examples
- “Biggest” is a superlative adjective.
- In many cases, a superlative adjective is used with “the.”
Learner examples
- “The smallest” uses a superlative adjective.
superlative degree
1/sʊpˈɚlɪtɪv dɪɡɹˈi/
fixed phrase
technical
grammar: -est / most form
The grammar form meaning “the most.”
Examples
- “Most careful” is in the superlative degree.
- In many textbooks, the superlative degree is taught after the comparative.
Learner examples
- “Best” is the superlative degree of “good.”
superlative form
1/sʊpˈɚlɪtɪv fˈɔɹm/
fixed phrase
technical
grammar: superlative version
The “-est/most” form of a word.
Examples
- The superlative form of “happy” is usually “happiest.”
- Use the superlative form when comparing three or more items.
Learner examples
- The superlative form of “tall” is “tallest.”