Superlative Adjectives
In these lessons, we will learn how to form and use superlative adjectives.
Related Pages
Comparative Adjectives
English Adjectives
IELTS, TOEFL & English as a Second Language
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We use comparative adjectives to describe and compare two nouns or pronouns.
We use superlative adjectives to describe and compare three or more nouns or pronouns.
The following table gives the general Rules for Superlative Adjectives (there are some exceptions). Scroll down the page for more examples and explanations.
Rules for Superlative Adjectives
Rule 1: When an adjective consists of one syllable add est to the end to make it a superlative adjective.
Examples:
| Comparative | Superlative | |
|---|---|---|
| clean | cleaner | cleanest |
| dark | darker | darkest |
| thick | thicker | thickest |
| soft | softer | softest |
| warm | warmer | warmest |
| neat | neater | neatest |
| broad | broader | broadest |
| tall | taller | tallest |
| old | older | oldest |
Exception to Rule 1: If the one syllable adjective ends with a consonant-vowel-consonant we need to double the last consonant before adding the est. However, if the last consonant is a w then we follow rule 1 instead.
Examples:
| Comparative | Superlative | |
|---|---|---|
| big | bigger | biggest |
| dim | dimmer | dimmest |
| fat | fatter | fattest |
| fit | fitter | fittest |
| flat | flatter | flattest |
| few | fewer | fewest |
| slow | slower | slowest |
| low | lower | lowest |
Rule 2: When a two syllable adjective ends with y we need to replace the y with an i and then add the est.
Examples:
| Comparative | Superlative | |
|---|---|---|
| busy | busier | busiest |
| dirty | dirtier | dirtiest |
| easy | easier | easiest |
| funny | funnier | funniest |
| noisy | noisier | noisiest |
| happy | happier | happiest |
| heavy | heavier | heaviest |
| lovely | lovelier | loveliest |
Rule 3: For an adjective with two or more syllabus (that does not end with y), we use add the word most or least in front of the adjective.
Examples:
| Comparative | Superlative | |
|---|---|---|
| active | more active, less active | most active, least active |
| careless | more careless. less careless | most careless. least careless |
| famous | more famous. Less famous | most famous. least famous |
| cheerful | more cheerful, less cheerful | most cheerful, least cheerful |
| beautiful | more beautiful, less beautiful | most beautiful, least beautiful |
| generous | more generous, less generous | most generous, least generous |
| intelligent | more intelligent, less intelligent | most intelligent, least intelligent |
| valuable | more valuable, less valuable | most valuable, least valuable |
Exceptions: There are some adjectives that have irregular comparative and superlative forms.
Examples:
| Comparative | Superlative | |
|---|---|---|
| good | better | best |
| bad | worse | worst |
| many | more | most |
| much | more | most |
| little | less | least |
| far | farther | farthest |
Adjectives & Degrees of Comparisons
An animated story about adjectives and degree of comparisons.
How to form and use superlative adjectives?
Comparative and superlative adjectives in English
Comparative and superlative adjectives song
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