English → Latin
“superlative” in Latin
eximiusselect, choice; special, particular, exceptional, remarkable, extraordinary; exemptēgregiusdistinguished, excellent, eminent; illustrious, honorablepraeclārusvery clear or bright; famous; noble, excellentsuperusabove, upper, higherbonusgood, honest, brave, noble, kind, pleasant; right; usefulmagnusgreat, large, big; (of things) vast, extensive, spacious (of physical size or quantity); great, grand, mighty, noble, lo
The English word superlative itself goes back to Latin super, through superlātīvus.
Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864
superlative
eximius: egregius: praeclarus [SYN. in EXCELLENT]: summus: optimus: maximus. (The words are found in this connection and order.) eximius et praestans; eximius et praeclarus; singularis eximiusque. The superlative degree (in grammar), gradus superlativus (grammatical).
Quick answer
- What is the Latin word for superlative?
- The usual Latin words for “superlative” are eximius, ēgregius, praeclārus; also superus, bonus, magnus. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.
Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.