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Superlative vs Utmost - What's the difference?

superlative | utmost |

As nouns the difference between superlative and utmost

is that superlative is the highest extent or degree of something while utmost is maximum; greatest possible amount or quantity.

As adjectives the difference between superlative and utmost

is that superlative is exceptionally good; of the highest quality; superb while utmost is situated at the most distant limit; farthest.

superlative

English

(wikipedia superlative)

Noun

(en noun)
  • The highest extent or degree of something.
  • (label) The form of an adjective that expresses which of more than two items has the highest degree of the quality expressed by the adjective; in English, formed by appending "-est" to the end of the adjective (for some short adjectives only) or putting "most" before it.
  • (label) An adjective used to praise something exceptional.

    • Synonyms

    * (highest degree) acme, peak

    Related terms

    * superlative degree

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Exceptionally good; of the highest quality; superb.
  • (grammar) Of or relating to a superlative.

    • Usage notes

    Rather formal, reflecting its Latin etymology; more colloquial alternatives include exceptional, fabulous, above and beyond, and others.

    Synonyms

    * (exceptionally good) above and beyond, exceptional, extraordinary, superb

    See also

    * absolute * comparative * elative ----

    utmost

    English

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Situated at the most distant limit; farthest
  • * Evelyn
    • We coasted within two leagues of Antibes, which is the utmost town in France.
  • * Herbert
    • Betwixt two thieves I spend my utmost breath.
  • The most extreme; ultimate; greatest
  • * (William Shakespeare)
    • He shall answerto his utmost peril.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1963, author=(Margery Allingham), title=(The China Governess)
    • , chapter=19 citation , passage=Meanwhile Nanny Broome was recovering from her initial panic and seemed anxious to make up for any kudos she might have lost, by exerting her personality to the utmost . She took the policeman's helmet and placed it on a chair, and unfolded his tunic to shake it and fold it up again for him.}}
  • * 2005 , (Plato), Sophist . Translation by Lesley Brown. .
    • Indeed at this very moment he's slipped away with the utmost cunning into a form that's most perplexing to investigate.

    Related terms

    * outermost * outmost * uttermost

    Noun

    (-)
  • Maximum; greatest possible amount or quantity.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1963, author=(Margery Allingham), title=(The China Governess)
    • , chapter=19 citation , passage=Meanwhile Nanny Broome was recovering from her initial panic and seemed anxious to make up for any kudos she might have lost, by exerting her personality to the utmost . She took the policeman's helmet and placed it on a chair, and unfolded his tunic to shake it and fold it up again for him.}}