8.2.2. The superlativo assoluto

Now we will go over the superlativo assoluto (absolute superlative). It bears this name because it is the way to the express the highest or lowest degree of a quality of something without placing it in a certain group or category.

To form it in Italian, you simply cut off the final vowel of the adjective and add:

-issimo,  -issima,  -issimi or -issime, making sure it agrees in gender and number with the noun it is modifying*. E.g.,

La pizza è buonissima.

The pizza is great (the best).

Loro sono bravissimi.

They are very good (the best).

* These four forms also apply to two-change adjectives (grande, intelligente, etc.) that otherwise only have two forms. Notice how facile is declined the same way as bravo below:

3. The superlativo assoluto can also be formed with a handful of prefixes, stra-, ultra-, arci-, super-, all of which basically mean “very,” or “incredibly.”  

Esempi:

Marco vive in un appartamento ultramoderno.

Marco lives in an very modern apartment.

Quando ieri sono tornato dal supermercato ero stracarico di pacchi.

Yesterday when I got back from the supermarket, I was overloaded with packages.

Rossi ha avuto molto successo, ormai è uno scrittore arcinoto.

Rossi has had a lot of success, by now he is a very well-known writer.

4. The superlativo assoluto can also be formed with molto and assai, which both mean “very”:

I panini in quel bar sono molto buoni. = The panini in that bar are very good.

È un attore assai conosciuto. = He’s a very well-known actor.