How to pronounce superlative
Say it like soo-PUR-luh-tiv. Superlative has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce superlative. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- soo
- PUR
- luh
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Superlative pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- sooKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- PURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- luhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- tivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of superlative
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: soo-PUR-luh-tiv.
What does superlative mean?
- The extreme (e.g. highest, lowest, deepest, farthest, etc) extent or degree of something.
- 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 superlativ
- An adjective or adverb in the superlative degree.“Daniel is amazing, wonderful, fantastic, and many other superlatives I can’t think of right now!”
- Having the power to carry something or someone above, over or beyond others.
- Exceptionally good; of the highest quality.
- Of or relating to the superlative degree (a degree of comparison of adjectives and adverbs).
Where does superlative come from?
From Middle English superlatyf, from Old French superlatif, from Late Latin superlātīvus, from Latin superlātus (“carried above, over; extravagant, of hyperbole”), past participle of superfero (“carry over”), from super (“above”) + fero (“bear, carry”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying superlative
How do you pronounce superlative?
Say soo-PUR-luh-tiv. The American pronunciation is /suˈpɝlətɪv/. In British English it is /suːˈpɜːlətɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in superlative?
Superlative has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PUR). Broken into parts: soo · PUR · luh · tiv.
Is superlative pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /suːˈpɜːlətɪv/ (soo-PUR-luh-tiv).