Rightest
Part of speech: adjective
Definitions
- Being the most correct or accurate among options ; possessing the highest degree of moral goodness or justice
- Exhibiting the greatest correctness in fact or truth ; showing the strongest adherence to principles of fairness and virtue
- Representing the utmost truthfulness or accuracy ; embodying the finest qualities of righteousness and moral correctness
Etymology: "Rightest" is simply the superlative of "right," formed by adding the suffix "-est" to the adjective. "Right" comes from Old English "riht," which carried the sense of straight, correct, or just, and the same root gave rise to "rectitude" and, through Latin, to "rectify." The superlative follows the regular English pattern used for "greatest" or "wisest," so "rightest" literally means "most right," that is, most correct or most accurate. The "-est" ending itself is an old and productive part of English grammar, descending from Old English, where superlatives were marked this way for most adjectives. Its use with "right" is less common than with short adjectives like "tall" or "quick," since speakers often reach for "most accurate" or "most correct" instead, but the formation is fully regular and transparent.
Synonyms: most correct, most accurate, most just, most proper, most true
Antonyms: wrongest, least correct, most erroneous, most improper, most false