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superlativo

superlative

adjective soo-per-lah-TEE-voh Rare
Grammar & Structure Adverbs

Origin: Latin superlativus (carried above, supreme)

Also means

outstanding, supreme

Usage Note

Superlativo functions both as a grammatical term — il superlativo assoluto (e.g. bellissimo) and il superlativo relativo (e.g. il più bello) — and as a colloquial intensifier meaning excellent or supreme. As a noun, il superlativo refers to the grammatical degree. Students of Italian must master both absolute and relative superlatives.

Examples

"Il superlativo assoluto si forma con il suffisso -issimo."

Natural Translation

The absolute superlative is formed with the suffix -issimo.

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