Illest

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. A term reflecting the highest degree of skill or excellence, often used in informal contexts to denote someone or something that stands out as exceptional
2. An expression of admiration that signifies something as being the best, typically within youth culture or urban slang
3. Describing a person or object that is regarded as extremely talented or impressive, especially in music and fashion circles

Etymology: "Illest" is the superlative of "ill", and in its slang sense of "the very best" it reverses the base word's older meaning. "Ill" comes from the same root as Latin "ulcus" ("sore") and Greek "hélkos" ("wound, ulcer"), and its Scandinavian relatives, such as Swedish "illa" and Icelandic "illur", still mean "bad" or "wicked". So a word that once described harm and sickness now marks the highest praise.

Synonyms: sickest, coolest

Antonyms: least ill