The superlative adjective of "costliest" is costliest itself.
Understanding Superlative Adjectives
When we talk about superlative adjectives, we are referring to the highest degree of comparison an adjective can express. This form is used to describe an item or person that has a quality to the greatest or least extent among a group.
The word "costliest" is already in its superlative form, meaning it signifies the highest degree of "costly." It indicates something is the most expensive among all items being compared.
The Degrees of the Adjective "Costly"
Adjectives typically have three degrees of comparison:
- Positive Degree: The basic form of the adjective, used when no comparison is made.
- Comparative Degree: Used when comparing two items or groups.
- Superlative Degree: Used when comparing three or more items or groups, indicating the highest or lowest degree of the quality.
For the adjective "costly," which is a two-syllable adjective ending in 'y', its degrees are formed as follows:
| Degree | Adjective | Example Use |
|---|---|---|
| Positive | Costly | This watch is costly. |
| Comparative | Costlier | That diamond is costlier than the watch. |
| Superlative | Costliest | The antique crown is the costliest item in the collection. |
As seen, "costliest" is the pinnacle of comparison for the adjective "costly," representing the utmost expense. Therefore, it cannot be further made into another superlative form.
Forming Superlative Adjectives
Superlative adjectives are generally formed in a few ways:
- Adding "-est": For most one-syllable adjectives (e.g., tall -> tallest, big -> biggest).
- Changing "y" to "i" and adding "-est": For two-syllable adjectives ending in "y" (e.g., happy -> happiest, costly -> costliest).
- Using "most": For most adjectives with two or more syllables that do not end in "y" (e.g., beautiful -> most beautiful, difficult -> most difficult).
Understanding these degrees helps in precise and effective communication, ensuring that the correct level of comparison is conveyed.
