-mest

superlative degree

1 / 1

A climber places a flag at the very highest point of a tall peak while all lower markers remain far below, making the greatest possible degree visible.

adjective / noun

utmost

UT-mohst/ˈʌtməʊst/

The greatest possible degree, amount, or effort.

Etymology

utOld Englishout, outside

+mostOld Englishsuperlative degree

“Out” with a superlative ending originally described the farthest point or outermost limit. That spatial limit became a limit of degree: the greatest possible amount or importance.

Full entry

Related word entries

utmost