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.

Related terms

• comparative degree
• superlative degree

Translations