Superlative Adjectives: Definition, Rules & Useful Examples

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Superlative Definition

When an adjective compares three or more things, the superlative form of the adjective is used. Superlatives indicate that the quality or quantity is at its highest or is most intense.

Forming Superlative Adjectives

Learn how to form superlatives in English with examples.

One-syllable Adjectives

1. Form the superlative forms of a one-syllable adjective by adding –est.

Examples:

• long – longest
• tall – tallest

2. If the one-syllable adjective ends with an e, just add –st for the superlative form.

Examples:

• cute – cutest
• large – largest

3. Add –est to adjectives that end in consonant-vowel-consonant and double the last consonant.

Examples:

• big – biggest
• hot – hottest

Two-syllable Adjectives

1. With most two-syllable adjectives, you form the superlative with most.

Examples:

• honest – most honest
• famous – most famous

2. If the two-syllable adjectives ends with –y, change the y to i and add –est for the superlative form.

Examples:

• happy – happiest
• crazy – craziest

3. Two-syllable adjectives ending in –er, –le, or –ow take –est to form the superlative forms.

Examples:

• narrow – narrowest
• gentle – gentlest

Adjectives with Three or More Syllables

Add most to adjectives that has 3 or more syllables.

Superlative Examples:

• expensive – most expensive
• difficult – most difficult

Irregular Adjectives

• good – best
• bad – worst
• far – farthest
• little – least
• many – most

Superlative Examples

List of affirmative and superlative adjectives in English.

Examples of Superlative Adjectives
Affirmative	Superlative
slow	slowest
fast	fastest
cheap	cheapest
clear	clearest
loud	loudest
new	newest
rich	richest
short	shortest
thick	thickest
old	oldest
tall	tallest
large	largest
wide	widest
wise	wisest
nice	nicest
big	biggest
fat	fattest
fit	fittest
polite	most polite
helpful	most helpful
useful	most useful
obscure	most obscure
hungry	hungriest
happy	happiest
pretty	prettiest
heavy	heaviest
angry	angriest
dirty	dirtiest
funny	funniest
narrow	narrowest
shallow	shallowest
humble	humblest
gentle	gentlest
clever	cleverest
interesting	most interesting
comfortable	most comfortable
beautiful	most beautiful
difficult	most difficult
dangerous	most dangerous
expensive	most expensive
popular	most popular
complicated	most complicated
confident	most confident
good	best
bad	worst
far	farthest
little	least
much/many	most