Word · Frequency #23594
superlative
（形容词或副词的）最高级
The superlative degree or form of an adjective or adverb, used when comparing three or more things.
- 1.
The extreme (e.g. highest, lowest, deepest, farthest, etc) extent or degree of something.
某事物的极端程度(如最高、最低、最深、最远等)
- 2.
an exaggerated expression (usually of praise)
夸张的赞美之词
- 3.
The degree of comparison of an adjective or adverb used when comparing three or more entities in terms of a certain property or a certain way of doing something. In English, the superlative of superiority is formed by adding the suffix -est or the word most (e.g. tiniest, most fully); the superlative of inferiority, by adding the word least (e.g. least big, least fully).
形容词或副词的比较级,用于比较三个或更多实体的某一属性或方式。在英语中,优等比较级通过添加后缀-est或单词most形成(如tiniest, most fully)；劣等比较级通过添加单词least形成(如least big, least fully)。
- 4.
the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development
可达到的最高水平或程度；最高发展阶段
- 5.
An adjective or adverb in the superlative degree.
处于最高级的形容词或副词
- 6.
the superlative form of an adjective or adverb
形容词或副词的最高级形式
最高程度；极致；极限；溢美之词；过分的赞美；某事物的极端程度(如最高、最低、最深、最远等)；夸张的赞美之词；形容词或副词的比较级,用于比较三个或更多实体的某一属性或方式。在英语中,优等比较级通过添加后缀-est或单词most形成(如tiniest, most fully)；劣等比较级通过添加单词least形成(如least big, least fully)。
In use
In English, the superlative of 'good' is 'best'.
You can form the superlative of most short adjectives by adding '-est'.
When comparing three or more things, use the superlative.
the critics lavished superlatives on it
so many highest superlatives achieved by man
`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'
Connections
Collocations
- superlative degree
- 最高级（语法）
- Use the superlative degree when comparing three or more things.当比较三个或更多事物时，请使用最高级。
- speak in superlatives
- 用夸张的赞美之词说话
- He always speaks in superlatives when describing his hometown.他在描述家乡时总是使用夸张的赞美之词。
- run out of superlatives
- 用尽溢美之词
- The critics have run out of superlatives for her latest novel.评论家们对她的最新小说已经用尽了溢美之词。
- a string of superlatives
- 一连串的溢美之词
- The review was a string of superlatives praising every aspect of the performance.这篇评论用一连串的溢美之词称赞了演出的每一个方面。
- full of superlatives
- 充满溢美之词
- His speech was full of superlatives about the team's achievements.他的讲话充满了对该团队成就的溢美之词。
Learner notes
Memory Tip
Super是“超级”，superlative即“超级中的超级”，表示三者以上比较时的最高程度，常加-est或most。
Context & Register
语域：mixed 常见场景：grammar teaching/reference、formal writing、literary criticism 作名词时，superlative 在语法教学和参考书中属于中性术语；在表示“最高程度、极致”或“溢美之词”时，多用于正式写作或文学批评，日常口语中通常较少单独使用。
Pronunciation & Spelling
All listed words share the -ative spelling, but none rhymes exactly with /suːˈpɜːrlətɪv/. Native and creative rhyme with each other (/eɪtɪv/); the others have unstressed /ətɪv/ and different stress or vowels. Do not judge the pronunciation from the -ative spelling alone.
Usage priority
Collins 词频等级为 1，建议结合例句记忆，而不是只背中文释义。
Learn the forms together
页面下方列出了常见词形变化。学习时注意它们在句子中的语法位置。
Dictionary facts from DICTIONARY_API_DEV, ECDICT, WIKTIONARY, WORDNET.