Superlative (Biggest): -issimus

Biggest: -issimus

Level 4

Add -issimus, -a, -um to the stem, or -rimus to the whole of an adjective in -er.

How It Works

PlainComparativeSuperlativeMeaning
altusaltioraltissimustall
fortisfortiorfortissimusbrave
felixfeliciorfelicissimushappy
pulcherpulchriorpulcherrimusbeautiful
misermiseriormiserrimusunhappy
facilisfaciliorfacillimuseasy

A few adjectives in -ilis, such as facilis, double the l: facillimus.

The superlative has two meanings. With a group, it means the most: fortissimus omnium is the bravest of all. On its own, it often means very: altissimus mons is a very high mountain. The sentence shows which one is meant.

Like any adjective in -us, -a, -um, the superlative agrees with its noun in gender, number and case.

Examples (5)

  1. Haec turris altissima est.

    This tower is the tallest, or very tall.

    Altissima is feminine, like turris.

  2. Marcus fortissimus omnium militum est.

    Marcus is the bravest of all the soldiers.

    With omnium militum, the superlative means the bravest.

  3. Iulia pulcherrimam rosam portat.

    Iulia carries a very beautiful rose.

    Pulcherrimam is the superlative of pulcher.

  4. Tu solus Altissimus, Iesu Christe.

    You alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ.

    From the Gloria. Altissimus is the superlative of altus.

  5. Hosanna in altissimis!

    Hosanna in the highest!

    From Matthew 21:9. Altissimis is ablative plural, used as a noun.

Common Mistakes

  • Adding -issimus to an adjective in -er.

    Iulia pulchrissimam rosam portat.
    Iulia pulcherrimam rosam portat.

    Pulcher keeps its -er and adds -rimus: pulcherrimus.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Superlative (Biggest): -issimusLevel 4Biggest: -issimus

Learn This First

The superlative is built on the comparison you know, with exceptions for -er adjectives.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

-issimus