Adjectives: Positive, Comparative, Superlative In Latin, as in English, adjectives are said to have three Degrees: (1) Positive – Adjective (2) Comparative

Adjectives:Adjectives:Positive, Comparative, Positive, Comparative, SuperlativeSuperlativeIn Latin, as in English, adjectives are said to have In Latin, as in English, adjectives are said to have

three three Degrees: Degrees:

(1) Positive – Adjective (1) Positive – Adjective

(2) Comparative – More [Adjective], (2) Comparative – More [Adjective], [Adjective]er[Adjective]er

(3) Superlative – Most [Adjective], (3) Superlative – Most [Adjective], [Adjective]est[Adjective]est

The The DegreeDegree of an adjective tell us the Degree to of an adjective tell us the Degree to which a noun possesses a particular attribute: which a noun possesses a particular attribute: whether with no reference to another noun whether with no reference to another noun (Positive); more than another noun (Comparative); (Positive); more than another noun (Comparative); or the most out of a group of nouns (Superlative).or the most out of a group of nouns (Superlative).

Adjectives:Adjectives:Positive, Comparative, Positive, Comparative, SuperlativeSuperlativeIn Latin, as in English, the Comparative and In Latin, as in English, the Comparative and

Superlative forms of an adjective are Superlative forms of an adjective are formed by adding a suffix onto the root:formed by adding a suffix onto the root:

Exempla:Exempla:

PositivePositive ComparativeComparativeSuperlativeSuperlative

TallTall TallerTaller TallestTallest

FastFast FasterFaster FastestFastest

IntelligentIntelligent More IntelligentMore Intelligent Most Most IntelligentIntelligent

GoodGood BetterBetter BestBest

I. Comparative AdjectivesI. Comparative AdjectivesThe The Comparative DegreeComparative Degree of an adjective in Latin of an adjective in Latin

is formed according to the following formula:is formed according to the following formula:

Comparative = Stem + ior, ior, iusComparative = Stem + ior, ior, ius

The Comparative is ALWAYS an Adjective of The Comparative is ALWAYS an Adjective of the 3the 3rdrd Declension, but uses 3 Declension, but uses 3rdrd Declension Declension noun endings.noun endings.

The Comparative Adjective is translated according The Comparative Adjective is translated according to the following formula:to the following formula:

Comparative = More [Adjective], [Adjective]erComparative = More [Adjective], [Adjective]er

NB: The Latin suffix –ior and the English NB: The Latin suffix –ior and the English suffix –er are cognate with one another.suffix –er are cognate with one another.

I. Comparative AdjectivesI. Comparative AdjectivesComparative = Stem + ior, ior, iusComparative = Stem + ior, ior, ius

Laetus, a, um Laetus, a, um Stem = laet Stem = laet

MM FF NN

LaetiorLaetior LaetiorLaetior LaetiusLaetius

LaetiorisLaetioris LaetiorisLaetioris LaetiorisLaetioris

LaetioriLaetiori LaetioriLaetiori LaetioriLaetiori

LaetioremLaetiorem LaetioremLaetiorem LaetiusLaetius

LaetioreLaetiore LaetioreLaetiore LaetioreLaetiore

LaetioresLaetiores LaetioresLaetiores LaetioraLaetiora

LaetiorumLaetiorum LaetiorumLaetiorum LaetiorumLaetiorum

LaetioribusLaetioribus LaetioribusLaetioribus LaetioribusLaetioribus

LaetioresLaetiores LaetioresLaetiores LaetioraLaetiora

LaetioribusLaetioribus LaetioribusLaetioribus LaetioribusLaetioribus


Pulcher, Pulchra, Pulchrum Pulcher, Pulchra, Pulchrum Stem = pulchr Stem = pulchr

MM FF NN

PulchriorPulchrior PulchriorPulchrior PulchriusPulchrius

PulchriorisPulchrioris PulchriorisPulchrioris PulchriorisPulchrioris

PulchrioriPulchriori PulchrioriPulchriori PulchrioriPulchriori

PulchrioremPulchriorem PulchrioremPulchriorem PulchriusPulchrius

PulchriorePulchriore PulchriorePulchriore PulchriorePulchriore

PulchrioresPulchriores PulchrioresPulchriores PulchrioraPulchriora

PulchriorumPulchriorum PulchriorumPulchriorum PulchriorumPulchriorum

PulchrioribusPulchrioribus PulchrioribusPulchrioribus PulchrioribusPulchrioribus

PulchrioresPulchriores PulchrioresPulchriores PulchrioraPulchriora

PulchrioribusPulchrioribus PulchrioribusPulchrioribus PulchrioribusPulchrioribus


Felix, Felicis Felix, Felicis Stem = felic Stem = felic

MM FF NN

FeliciorFelicior FeliciorFelicior FeliciusFelicius

FeliciorisFelicioris FeliciorisFelicioris FeliciorisFelicioris

FelicioriFeliciori FelicioriFeliciori FelicioriFeliciori

FelicioremFeliciorem FelicioremFeliciorem FeliciusFelicius

FelicioreFeliciore FelicioreFeliciore FelicioreFeliciore

FelicioresFeliciores FelicioresFeliciores FelicioraFeliciora

FeliciorumFeliciorum FeliciorumFeliciorum FeliciorumFeliciorum

FelicioribusFelicioribus FelicioribusFelicioribus FelicioribusFelicioribus

FelicioresFeliciores FelicioresFeliciores FelicioraFeliciora

FelicioribusFelicioribus FelicioribusFelicioribus FelicioribusFelicioribus


Fortis, is, e Fortis, is, e Stem = fort Stem = fort

MM FF NN

FortiorFortior FortiorFortior FortiusFortius

FortiorisFortioris FortiorisFortioris FortiorisFortioris

FortioriFortiori FortioriFortiori FortioriFortiori

FortioremFortiorem FortioremFortiorem FortiusFortius

FortioreFortiore FortioreFortiore FortioreFortiore

FortioresFortiores FortioresFortiores FortioraFortiora

FortiorumFortiorum FortiorumFortiorum FortiorumFortiorum

FortioribusFortioribus FortioribusFortioribus FortioribusFortioribus

FortioresFortiores FortioresFortiores FortioraFortiora

FortioribusFortioribus FortioribusFortioribus FortioribusFortioribus


Acer, Acris, Acre Acer, Acris, Acre Stem = acr Stem = acr

MM FF NN

AcriorAcrior AcriorAcrior AcriusAcrius

AcriorisAcrioris AcriorisAcrioris AcriorisAcrioris

AcrioriAcriori AcrioriAcriori AcrioriAcriori

AcrioremAcriorem AcrioremAcriorem AcriusAcrius

AcrioreAcriore AcrioreAcriore AcrioreAcriore

AcrioresAcriores AcrioresAcriores AcrioraAcriora

AcriorumAcriorum AcriorumAcriorum AcriorumAcriorum

AcrioribusAcrioribus AcrioribusAcrioribus AcrioribusAcrioribus

AcrioresAcriores AcrioresAcriores AcrioraAcriora

AcrioribusAcrioribus AcrioribusAcrioribus AcrioribusAcrioribus


Celer, Celeris, Celere Celer, Celeris, Celere Stem = celer Stem = celer

MM FF NN

CeleriorCelerior CeleriorCelerior CeleriusCelerius

CeleriorisCelerioris CeleriorisCelerioris CeleriorisCelerioris

CelerioriCeleriori CelerioriCeleriori CelerioriCeleriori

CelerioremCeleriorem CelerioremCeleriorem CeleriusCelerius

CelerioreCeleriore CelerioreCeleriore CelerioreCeleriore

CelerioresCeleriores CelerioresCeleriores CelerioraCeleriora

CeleriorumCeleriorum CeleriorumCeleriorum CeleriorumCeleriorum

CelerioribusCelerioribus CelerioribusCelerioribus CelerioribusCelerioribus

CelerioresCeleriores CelerioresCeleriores CelerioraCeleriora

CelerioribusCelerioribus CelerioribusCelerioribus CelerioribusCelerioribus

I. Comparative AdjectivesI. Comparative Adjectives

NB:NB:

(1)(1) Most adjectives ending in –eus (and Most adjectives ending in –eus (and some ending in –ius) form their some ending in –ius) form their Comparative Degree by using the Comparative Degree by using the adverb adverb magismagis, ‘more,’ with the , ‘more,’ with the adjective.adjective.

Exemplum:Exemplum:

Idoneus, a, um – suitableIdoneus, a, um – suitable

magis idoneus – more suitablemagis idoneus – more suitable

I. Comparative Adjectives:I. Comparative Adjectives:Object of ComparisonObject of ComparisonNB:NB:

(2)(2) When the Comparative Adjective is When the Comparative Adjective is used, Latin can express the object of the used, Latin can express the object of the comparison in one of two ways:comparison in one of two ways:

(1) quam – the adverb ‘quam’ means (1) quam – the adverb ‘quam’ means ‘than.’ The object of comparison goes in ‘than.’ The object of comparison goes in the the same casesame case as the noun modified by as the noun modified by the Comparative.the Comparative.

(2) Ablative of Comparison – the object (2) Ablative of Comparison – the object of comparison goes in the Ablative case. of comparison goes in the Ablative case. ‘quam’ is not used.‘quam’ is not used.

I. Comparative Adjectives:I. Comparative Adjectives:Object of ComparisonObject of ComparisonExempla:Exempla:

Frater altior quam ego est.Frater altior quam ego est.

Frater altior me est.Frater altior me est.

Maiores hostes ferociores quam illos Maiores hostes ferociores quam illos pugnaverunt.pugnaverunt.

Maiores hostes ferociores illis Maiores hostes ferociores illis pugnaverunt.pugnaverunt.

I. Comparative Adjectives:I. Comparative Adjectives:Object of ComparisonObject of ComparisonExempla:Exempla:

Frater altior quam ego est.Frater altior quam ego est.

Frater altior me est.Frater altior me est.

My brother is taller than me.My brother is taller than me.

Maiores hostes ferociores quam illos Maiores hostes ferociores quam illos pugnaverunt.pugnaverunt.

Maiores hostes ferociores illis pugnaverunt.Maiores hostes ferociores illis pugnaverunt.

Our ancestors fought enemy fiercer than Our ancestors fought enemy fiercer than these.these.

II. Superlative AdjectivesII. Superlative AdjectivesThe The Superlative DegreeSuperlative Degree of an adjective in Latin is of an adjective in Latin is

formed according to the following formula:formed according to the following formula:

Superlative = Stem + issimus, a, umSuperlative = Stem + issimus, a, um

The Superlative is ALWAYS an adjective of the The Superlative is ALWAYS an adjective of the 11stst and 2 and 2ndnd Delcension. Delcension.

The Superlative Adjective is translated according The Superlative Adjective is translated according to the following formula:to the following formula:

Superlative = Most [Adjective], [Adjective]estSuperlative = Most [Adjective], [Adjective]est

NB: The Latin suffix –issimus and the English NB: The Latin suffix –issimus and the English suffix –est are cognate with one another.suffix –est are cognate with one another.

II. Superlative AdjectivesII. Superlative AdjectivesSuperlative = Stem + issimus, a, umSuperlative = Stem + issimus, a, um

laetus, a, um laetus, a, um Stem = laet Stem = laet

MM FF NN

LaetissimusLaetissimus LaetissimaLaetissima LaetissimumLaetissimum

LaetissimiLaetissimi LaetissimaeLaetissimae LaetissimiLaetissimi

LaetissimoLaetissimo LaetissimaeLaetissimae LaetissimoLaetissimo

LaetissimumLaetissimum LaetissimamLaetissimam LaetissimumLaetissimum

LaetissimoLaetissimo LaetissimaLaetissima LaetissimoLaetissimo

LaetissimiLaetissimi LaetissimaeLaetissimae LaetissimaLaetissima

LaetissimorumLaetissimorum LaetissimarumLaetissimarum LaetissimorumLaetissimorum

LaetissimisLaetissimis LaetissimisLaetissimis LaetissimisLaetissimis

LaetissimosLaetissimos LaetissimasLaetissimas LaetissimaLaetissima

LaetissimisLaetissimis LaetissimisLaetissimis LaetissimisLaetissimis

II. Superlative AdjectivesII. Superlative AdjectivesSuperlative = Stem + issimus, a, um Superlative = Stem + issimus, a, um

Felix, Felicis Felix, Felicis Stem = felic Stem = felic

MM FF NN

FelicissimusFelicissimus FelicissimaFelicissima FelicissimumFelicissimum

FelicissimiFelicissimi FelicissimaeFelicissimae FelicissimiFelicissimi

FelicissimoFelicissimo FelicissimaeFelicissimae FelicissimoFelicissimo

FelicissimumFelicissimum FelicissimamFelicissimam FelicissimumFelicissimum

FelicissimoFelicissimo FelicissimaFelicissima FelicissimoFelicissimo

FelicissimiFelicissimi FelicissimaeFelicissimae FelicissimaFelicissima

FelicissimorumFelicissimorum FelicissimarumFelicissimarumFelicissimorumFelicissimorum

FelicissimisFelicissimis FelicissimisFelicissimis FelicissimisFelicissimis

FelicissimosFelicissimos FelicissimasFelicissimas FelicissimaFelicissima

FelicissimisFelicissimis FelicissimisFelicissimis FelicissimisFelicissimis

II. Superlative AdjectivesII. Superlative AdjectivesSuperlative = Stem + issimus, a, um Superlative = Stem + issimus, a, um

Fortis, is, e Fortis, is, e Stem = fort Stem = fort

MM FF NN

FortissimusFortissimus FortissimaFortissima FortissimumFortissimum

FortissimiFortissimi FortissimaeFortissimae FortissimiFortissimi

FortissimoFortissimo FortissimaeFortissimae FortissimoFortissimo

FortissimumFortissimum FortissimamFortissimam FortissimumFortissimum

FortissimoFortissimo FortissimaFortissima FortissimoFortissimo

FortissimiFortissimi FortissimaeFortissimae FortissimaFortissima

FortissimorumFortissimorum FortissimarumFortissimarum FortissimorumFortissimorum

FortissimisFortissimis FortissimisFortissimis FortissimisFortissimis

FortissimosFortissimos FortissimasFortissimas FortissimaFortissima

FortissimisFortissimis FortissimisFortissimis FortissimisFortissimis

II. Superlative Adjectives –II. Superlative Adjectives –er Stemser StemsNB: Superlative of –er Stems = Stem + rimus, NB: Superlative of –er Stems = Stem + rimus,

a, um a, um Pulcher, Pulchra, Pulchrum Pulcher, Pulchra, Pulchrum Stem = Pulcher Stem = Pulcher

MM FF NNPulcherrimusPulcherrimus PulcherrimaPulcherrima PulcherrimumPulcherrimum

PulcherrimiPulcherrimi PulcherrimaePulcherrimae PulcherrimiPulcherrimi

PulcherrimoPulcherrimo PulcherrimaePulcherrimae PulcherrimoPulcherrimo

PulcherrimumPulcherrimum PulcherrimamPulcherrimam PulcherrimumPulcherrimum

PulcherrimoPulcherrimo PulcherrimaPulcherrima PulcherrimoPulcherrimo

PulcherrimiPulcherrimi PulcherrimaePulcherrimae PulcherrimaPulcherrima

PulcherrimorumPulcherrimorum PulcherrimarumPulcherrimarumPulcherrimorumPulcherrimorum

PulcherrimisPulcherrimis PulcherrimisPulcherrimis PulcherrimisPulcherrimis

PulcherrimosPulcherrimos PulcherrimasPulcherrimas PulcherrimaPulcherrima

PulcherrimisPulcherrimis PulcherrimisPulcherrimis PulcherrimisPulcherrimis

II. Superlative Adjectives –II. Superlative Adjectives –er Stemser StemsNB: Superlative of –er Stems = Stem + NB: Superlative of –er Stems = Stem +

rimus, a, um rimus, a, um Acer, Acris, Acre Acer, Acris, Acre Stem = acer Stem = acer

MM FF NNAcerrimusAcerrimus AcerrimaAcerrima AcerrimumAcerrimum

AcerrimiAcerrimi AcerrimaeAcerrimae AcerrimiAcerrimi

AcerrimoAcerrimo AcerrimaeAcerrimae AcerrimoAcerrimo

AcerrimumAcerrimum AcerrimamAcerrimam AcerrimumAcerrimum

AcerrimoAcerrimo AcerrimaAcerrima AcerrimoAcerrimo

AcerrimiAcerrimi AcerrimaeAcerrimae AcerrimaAcerrima

AcerrimourmAcerrimourm AcerrimarumAcerrimarum AcerrimorumAcerrimorum

AcerrimisAcerrimis AcerrimisAcerrimis AcerrimisAcerrimis

AcerrimosAcerrimos AcerrimasAcerrimas AcerrimaAcerrima

AcerrimisAcerrimis AcerrimisAcerrimis AcerrimisAcerrimis

II. Superlative Adjectives –II. Superlative Adjectives –er Stemser StemsNB: Superlative of –er Stems = Stem + NB: Superlative of –er Stems = Stem +

rimus, a, um rimus, a, um Celer, Celeris, Celere Celer, Celeris, Celere Stem = celer Stem = celer

MM FF NNCelerrimusCelerrimus CelerrimaCelerrima CelerrimumCelerrimum

CelerrimiCelerrimi CelerrimaeCelerrimae CelerrimiCelerrimi

CelerrimoCelerrimo CelerrimaeCelerrimae CelerrimoCelerrimo

CelerrimumCelerrimum CelerrimamCelerrimam CelerrimumCelerrimum

CelerrimoCelerrimo CelerrimaCelerrima CelerrimoCelerrimo

CelerrimiCelerrimi CelerrimaeCelerrimae CelerrimaCelerrima

CelerrimorumCelerrimorum CelerrimarumCelerrimarum CelerrimorumCelerrimorum

CelerrimisCelerrimis CelerrimisCelerrimis CelerrimisCelerrimis

CelerrimosCelerrimos CelerrimasCelerrimas CelerrimaCelerrima

CelerrimisCelerrimis CelerrimisCelerrimis CelerrimisCelerrimis

II. Superlative Adjectives –II. Superlative Adjectives –lis Stemslis StemsNB: Six adjectives ending in –lis form their NB: Six adjectives ending in –lis form their

Superlative by adding –limus to the stem:Superlative by adding –limus to the stem:PositivePositive ComparativeComparative SuperlativeSuperlative

Facilis, is, eFacilis, is, e Facilior, ior, iusFacilior, ior, ius Facillimus, a, umFacillimus, a, um

Difficilis, is, eDifficilis, is, e Difficilior, ior, iusDifficilior, ior, ius Difficillimus, Difficillimus, a, uma, um

Similis, is, eSimilis, is, e Similior, ior, iusSimilior, ior, ius Simillimus, a, umSimillimus, a, um

Dissimilis, is, eDissimilis, is, e Dissimilior, ior, iusDissimilior, ior, ius Dissimillimus, a, Dissimillimus, a, umum

Gracilis, is, eGracilis, is, e Gracilior, ior, iusGracilior, ior, ius Gracillimus, Gracillimus, a, uma, um

Humilis, is, eHumilis, is, e Humilior, ior, iusHumilior, ior, ius Humillimus, Humillimus, a, uma, um

Other –lis adjectives form their Superlative regularly.Other –lis adjectives form their Superlative regularly.

II. Superlative AdjectivesII. Superlative Adjectives

NB:NB:

(1)(1) Adjectives that form their Adjectives that form their Comparative using the adverb Comparative using the adverb ‘magis’ form their Superlative using ‘magis’ form their Superlative using the adverb ‘maxime,’ ‘most.’the adverb ‘maxime,’ ‘most.’

Exemplum:Exemplum:

Idoneus, a, um – suitableIdoneus, a, um – suitable

maxime idoneus – most suitablemaxime idoneus – most suitable

II. Superlative AdjectivesII. Superlative Adjectives

NB: NB: (2) The adverb ‘quam’ + the (2) The adverb ‘quam’ + the

Superlative is translated as ‘as Superlative is translated as ‘as [adjective] as possible.’[adjective] as possible.’

Exempla:Exempla:quam fortissimusquam fortissimus

as brave as possibleas brave as possiblequam celerrimusquam celerrimus

as quick as possibleas quick as possible

III. Irregular Comparatives III. Irregular Comparatives and Superlativesand SuperlativesSeveral adjectives form their Several adjectives form their

Comparative and Superlative Degrees Comparative and Superlative Degrees irregularly. Although the stems of these irregularly. Although the stems of these Comparative and Superlatives are Comparative and Superlatives are irregular, nonetheless they decline irregular, nonetheless they decline according to the regular pattern of according to the regular pattern of Comparatives and Superlatives.Comparatives and Superlatives.

The following The following sixsix adjectives are the most adjectives are the most common adjectives which have common adjectives which have irregular Comparative and Superlative irregular Comparative and Superlative forms:forms:

III. Irregular Comparatives III. Irregular Comparatives and Superlativesand SuperlativesPositivePositive ComparativeComparative SuperlativeSuperlativeBonus, a, umBonus, a, um Melior, ior, iusMelior, ior, ius Optimus, a, umOptimus, a, um

GoodGood BetterBetter BestBestMalus, a, umMalus, a, um Peior, ior, iusPeior, ior, ius Pessimus, a, umPessimus, a, um

BadBad WorseWorse WorstWorstMagnus, a, umMagnus, a, um Maior, ior, iusMaior, ior, ius Maximus, a, Maximus, a,

umumGreat, LargeGreat, Large Greater, LargerGreater, LargerGreatest, LargestGreatest, Largest

Parvus, a, umParvus, a, um Minor, Minor, MinusMinor, Minor, Minus Minimus, a, umMinimus, a, umSmallSmall SmallerSmaller SmallestSmallest

Multus, a, umMultus, a, um Plus, Pluris (neuter)Plus, Pluris (neuter) Plurimus, a, umPlurimus, a, umMuchMuch MoreMore MostMost

Multi, ae, aMulti, ae, a Plures, es, aPlures, es, a Plurimi, ae, aPlurimi, ae, aManyMany MoreMore MostMost

III. Irregular Comparatives III. Irregular Comparatives and Superlativesand SuperlativesThe following adjectives also form their Comparative The following adjectives also form their Comparative

and Superlative Degrees irregularly, but are not and Superlative Degrees irregularly, but are not very common:very common:

PositivePositive ComparativeComparative SuperlativeSuperlative

Nequam (indec.)Nequam (indec.) Nequior, ior, iusNequior, ior, ius Nequissimus, a, umNequissimus, a, um

WorthlessWorthless More WorthlessMore Worthless Most WorthlessMost Worthless

FrugiFrugi Frugalior, ior, iusFrugalior, ior, iusFrugalissimus, a, umFrugalissimus, a, um

UsefulUseful More UsefulMore Useful Most UsefulMost Useful

Dexter, ra, rumDexter, ra, rum Dexterior, ior, iusDexterior, ior, iusDextimus, a, umDextimus, a, um

HandyHandy More HandyMore Handy Most HandyMost Handy

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Adjectives: Positive, Comparative, Superlative In Latin, as in English, adjectives are said to have three Degrees: (1) Positive – Adjective (2) Comparative