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Definition 2024


positive_degree

positive degree

English

Noun

positive degree

  1. (grammar) That state of an adjective or adverb indicating simple quality, without comparison or relation to increase or diminution; as in wise, noble.

Usage notes

English has three degrees of comparison: positive, comparative, and superlative. For short adjectives, English adds the suffix "-er" to an adjective to form the comparative degree, and adds "-est" to form the superlative degree. For adjectives longer than about two syllables, and for adverbs, English precedes the word with "more" for the comparative and "most" for the superlative.

Positive Comparative Superlative
wise wiser wisest
beautiful more beautiful most beautiful
slow (adjective) slower slowest
slowly (adverb) more slowly most slowly

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