What is a superlative adjective? Definition & examples
| Adjective (Positive) | Comparative | Superlative | Usage in Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| fast | faster | fastest | He is the fastest runner in the team. |
| small | smaller | smallest | That is the smallest bag in the shop. |
| beautiful | more beautiful | most beautiful | This garden is the most beautiful in our city. |
| good | better | best | She gave her best performance tonight. |
| bad | worse | worst | This is the worst storm we have seen. |
| busy | busier | busiest | Monday is usually the busiest day. |
| happy | happier | happiest | He was the happiest child at the party. |
| important | more important | most important | Maths is the most important subject for her. |
What is a Superlative Adjective?
A superlative adjective shows the highest or lowest degree of a quality among three or more items. It helps point out who or what stands out in a group. For example, “fastest,” “biggest,” and “most important” are superlative adjectives often used in school comparisons and competitive exams.
How to Form Superlative Adjectives
Short Adjectives: Add “-est”
- Add “-est” to most one-syllable adjectives: tall → tallest, old → oldest.
- If the word ends in ‘e’, just add “-st”: large → largest, nice → nicest.
- Double the final consonant if the adjective ends with a vowel + consonant: big → biggest, thin → thinnest.
- Change “y” to “i” if the adjective ends in “y”: happy → happiest, lazy → laziest.
Long Adjectives: Use “Most”
- Use “most” before adjectives with two or more syllables (except for those ending in “y”): important → most important, careful → most careful.
- For some two-syllable adjectives, you can use either: clever → cleverest or most clever.
Irregular Superlative Adjectives
- good → best
- bad → worst
- far → farthest/furthest
- many/much → most
- little → least
Examples of Superlative Adjectives in Sentences
- Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world.
- This is the most difficult question in the test.
- She is the youngest player in the team.
- Of all my friends, Amrita is the kindest.
- Yesterday was the coldest day of the year.
- The blue dress is the most expensive one in the shop.
- He had the best result in the class.
- This is the least crowded beach.
- Our teacher is the wisest person I know.
- It was the fastest train on the route.
Comparative vs. Superlative Adjectives
| Degree | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Comparative | Compares two things | This box is heavier than that one. |
| Superlative | Shows the highest/lowest among three or more | This is the heaviest box in the room. |
Superlative Adjective Exercises
- He is the ______ (tall) student in the class.
- This puzzle is the ______ (difficult) of all.
- Amir runs the ______ (fast) in his school.
- That is the ______ (old) building in our town.
- She is the ______ (intelligent) girl I have met.
Complete each sentence with the correct superlative adjective. Use Vedantu’s adjectives exercises for more practice.
Common Mistakes and Simple Tips
- Do not use the superlative for comparing only two items (use comparative form).
- Always use “the” before a superlative adjective: the best, the hardest.
- Check spelling changes with “y” and double consonants.
- Remember irregular forms: good → best, bad → worst.
Superlative adjectives let you highlight the extreme quality of a person, thing, or place among three or more. Learning their rules makes writing and speaking English much easier, whether for schoolwork or real-life conversations. Vedantu’s guides help you master these forms for every exam or language challenge.
FAQs on Superlative Adjectives in English Grammar
1. What is a superlative adjective?
A superlative adjective describes the highest or lowest degree of a quality among three or more things. It shows which item possesses the most or least of a particular characteristic. For example, "biggest," "smallest," and "fastest" are superlative adjectives.
2. Can you give 10 examples of superlative adjectives?
Here are 10 examples of superlative adjectives used in sentences:
- Tallest: The giraffe is the tallest animal.
- Smallest: That is the smallest car I've ever seen.
- Fastest: The cheetah is the fastest land animal.
- Most beautiful: This is the most beautiful flower in the garden.
- Best: This cake is the best I've ever tasted.
- Worst: That was the worst movie I've ever seen.
- Happiest: She is the happiest person I know.
- Oldest: He is the oldest person in his family.
- Easiest: This is the easiest question on the test.
- Most expensive: That is the most expensive house in the neighborhood.
3. How do you form superlative adjectives using '-est' and 'most'?
Most one-syllable adjectives add '-est' (e.g., tall becomes tallest). Adjectives with two or more syllables generally use 'most' before the adjective (e.g., important becomes most important). There are exceptions; some two-syllable words can use either method. Also, remember that irregular superlatives exist (e.g., good/best, bad/worst).
4. What are irregular superlative adjectives?
Irregular superlative adjectives don't follow the standard '-est' or 'most' rules. Common examples include: good/best, bad/worst, little/least, much/most, and far/farthest/furthest. These must be memorized.
5. What is the difference between comparative and superlative forms?
Comparative adjectives compare two things (e.g., "bigger," "smaller"), while superlative adjectives compare three or more things and show the highest or lowest degree (e.g., "biggest," "smallest").
6. Why do some adjectives use 'most' instead of '-est' in the superlative?
Adjectives with two or more syllables typically use 'most' to form the superlative because adding '-est' would sound awkward or unnatural. However, some two-syllable adjectives can use both methods.
7. Are there any adjectives that have both regular and irregular superlative forms?
While most adjectives have either a regular or irregular superlative form, some two-syllable adjectives can be formed using both '-est' and 'most'. Examples include 'quiet' (quietest/most quiet) and 'clever' (cleverest/most clever).
8. How do superlative adjectives function in spoken English vs. written English?
The grammatical rules for superlative adjectives are consistent in both spoken and written English. However, in spoken English, contractions and informal phrasing may be more common. For example, "It's the best!" is acceptable in spoken English, while the more formal "It is the best." might be preferred in writing.
9. What mistakes do students commonly make with superlative adjectives in exams?
Common mistakes include: confusing comparative and superlative forms; incorrectly forming superlatives of irregular adjectives; omitting 'the' before the superlative; and using superlatives when comparing only two items. Practicing with varied examples is key.
10. Can superlative adjectives apply to non-count or abstract nouns?
Yes, superlative adjectives can modify non-count nouns (e.g., "the most important information") and abstract nouns (e.g., "the greatest happiness") by using 'most' before the adjective. The usage differs from regular nouns, as the focus is on degree rather than direct comparison of individual items.
11. How can I transform a sentence to use a superlative adjective?
To transform a sentence using a superlative, identify the quality being compared, and ensure you have three or more items to compare. Replace the comparative adjective or phrase with the superlative form. Remember to add 'the' before the superlative adjective. For example, changing "Jane is taller than Mary and Sue" to "Jane is the tallest."
12. What are some common contextual usage examples of superlative adjectives?
Superlative adjectives are used in many contexts: describing the winner of a competition (e.g., "the fastest runner"); identifying the extreme of a quality (e.g., "the tallest building"); expressing opinions (e.g., "the best pizza"); and creating emphasis (e.g., "the most important factor").
