How to Form Latin Superlative Adjectives

Using a superlative form of an adjective takes the basic sense of the adjective to the extreme, so the superlative of basic would be most basic. Identifying Superlatives Latin superlative adjectives are usually easy to identify. Most contain -issim- (e.g., suavissimus, -a, -um most charming). If they dont have -issim-, they will likely have -llim- (difficillimus, -a, -u most difficult) or -rrim- (celerrimus, -a, -um swiftest) in them. This double consonant -im- precedes the case ending. Translation of Superlatives Superlatives are usually translated into English with -est or most. They can also be translated with very or extremely. Difficillimus means most difficult or very difficult. Celerrimus means fastest or very fast. Declension of Superlatives Superlative adjectives are declined like first and second declension nouns. Superlatives are adjectives and as such must agree with the nouns they modify in gender, number, and case. The endings are added to the base of the adjective. These endings are not new or different, but theyre here for convenience: Singularcase M. F. N.nom. -us -a -umgen. -i -ae -idat. -o -ae -oacc. -um -am -umabl. -o -a -o Pluralcase M. F. N.nom. -i -ae -agen. -orum -arum -orumdat. -is -is -isacc. -os -as -aabl. -is -is -is Example: Clarus - Clarissimus -a -um Clear - Clearest Singular case M F Nnom. clarissimus clarissima clarissimumgen. clarissimi clarissimae clarissimidat. clarissimo clarissimae clarissimoacc. clarissimum clarissimam clarissimumabl. clarissimo clarissima clarissimo Plural case M F Nnom. clarissimi clarissimae clarissimagen. clarissimorum clarissimarum clarissimorumdat. clarissimis clarissimis clarissimisacc. clarissimos clarissimas clarissimaabl. clarissimis clarissimis clarissimis Unusual Superlatives If an adjective ends in -er for its masculine singular nominative in what is called the positive (e.g., for the Latin adjective pulcher beautiful, pulcher is the positive form), its superlative form will end in -errimus, -a, -um. If the masculine singular nominative form of the adjective ends in -ilis (e.g., facilis easy), the superlative form will be -illimus, -a, -um. Singular case M F Nnom. pulcherrimus pulcherrima pulcherrimumgen. pulcherrimi pulcherrimae pulcherrimidat. pulcherrimo pulcherrimae pulcherrimoacc. pulcherrimum pulcherrimam pulcherrimumabl. pulcherrimo pulcherrima pulcherrimo Plural case M F Nnom. pulcherrimi pulcherrimae pulcherrimagen. pulcherrimorum pulcherrimarum pulcherrimorumdat. pulcherrimis pulcherrimis pulcherrimisacc. pulcherrimos pulcherrimas pulcherrimaabl. pulcherrimis pulcherrimis pulcherrimis Irregular Superlatives (Translation) Positive -- Comparative -- Superlative (Big, Bigger, Biggest) magnus, -a, -um -- maior, maius -- maximus, -a, -um(Small, Smaller, Smallest) parvus, -a, -um -- minor, minus -- minimus, -a, -um(Good, Better, Best) bonus, -a, -um -- melior, melius -- optimus, -a, -um(Bad, Worse, Worst) malus, -a, -um -- peior, peius -- pessimus, -a, -um