greatest
greatest
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for the word "greatest" is /ˈɡreɪtɪst/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
ɡreɪ: /ɡ/ (voiced velar stop), /reɪ/ (diphthong representing a sound between /ɛ/ and /eɪ/)
tɪst: /t/ (voiceless alveolar stop), /ɪ/ (short vowel), /st/ (voiceless alveolar fricative followed by a voiceless alveolar plosive)
Word Form Variations
As an adjective:
This is the greatest achievement of his career.
She is the greatest athlete of all time.
As a noun (less common):
The greatest among them was chosen to lead.
In this case, "greatest" functions as a noun referring to the person or thing that is the greatest.
Derived forms:
Greatness: This is a noun that refers to the quality of being great.
Greatly: This is an adverb that means "to a great degree" or "very much."
These are the primary word form variations of "greatest."
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Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Adjective:
Definition: Superior to all others; most excellent or distinguished.
Synonyms: Best, finest, supreme, top-notch, paramount.
Antonyms: Worst, least, inferior, mediocre.
Noun:
Definition: A person or thing that is superior to all others.
Synonyms: Champion, leader, virtuoso, prodigy.
Antonyms: Loser, failure, weakling.
Examples of Use
Books:
"The Greatest Generation" by Tom Brokaw: This book uses "greatest" to describe the generation that fought in World War II.
"The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald: While not explicitly used, the title character is often referred to as one of the "greatest" figures of the Jazz Age.
Newspapers:
"The New York Times": Headlines like "The Greatest Hits of the Summer" or "The Greatest Upset in Sports History" are common.
"The Guardian": Articles discussing historical figures like Nelson Mandela or Martin Luther King Jr. often refer to them as "one of the greatest leaders of all time."
Online Publications:
Sports Illustrated: Articles ranking athletes or teams often use phrases like "the greatest of all time" or "the greatest ever."
The Verge: Reviews of technological advancements may refer to them as "the greatest gadget of the year."
Entertainment:
Movies: Titles like "The Greatest Showman" or "The Greatest Story Ever Told" use "greatest" to attract audiences.
Music: Songs with titles like "The Greatest Love of All" or "The Greatest" by R.E.M. are popular examples.
Television: Shows like "The Greatest American Hero" use "greatest" in their titles to imply extraordinary abilities.
General Public Discourse:
Sports Commentary: Analysts often debate who is "the greatest" player in a particular sport.
Political Debates: Politicians may claim to be fighting for "the greatest good of the nation."
Everyday Conversation: People may use phrases like "that's the greatest idea ever" or "you're the greatest friend I could ask for."
These examples demonstrate the versatility of the word "greatest" and its widespread use in various contexts.
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10 Famous Quotes Using the term Greatest
"The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." — Nelson Mandela
"The greatest wealth is to live content with little." — Plato
"The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do." — Walter Bagehot
"The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another." — William James
"The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing that you will make one." — Elbert Hubbard
"The greatest discovery of any generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitude." — William James
"The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return." — Eden Ahbez
"The greatest gift you can give someone is your time, your attention, your love, your concern." — Joel Osteen
"The greatest lesson in life is to know that even fools are right sometimes." — Winston Churchill
"The greatest glory consists not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." — Confucius
Etymology
The word "greatest" comes from an old English word, "grēat," which meant "big, thick, or coarse." Over time, the meaning of "great" expanded to include ideas of importance, size, and quality.
The first known use of "greatest" was around the 13th century. Back then, it was used to describe something that was the most extreme or intense. For example, you might say, "This is the greatest cold I've ever felt."
So, the word "greatest" has a long history, starting from a simple meaning of size and evolving to mean the best or most important.
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Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Greatest
Phrases:
The greatest of all time (GOAT): This is a common phrase used to describe someone considered the best ever in a particular field.
The greatest good for the greatest number: This ethical principle suggests that decisions should be made to benefit the majority.
The greatest happiness principle: This philosophical idea proposes that actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness.
Idioms:
The best/greatest thing since sliced bread: This idiom is used to describe something that is considered to be excellent or revolutionary.
A great deal: This phrase means a large amount or quantity.
In great shape: This phrase means to be physically fit or healthy.
These phrases and idioms, while not directly using "greatest," convey similar ideas of superiority, excellence, or abundance.
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Source Information
Definition of greatest from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
