allerhöchste

Allerhöchste is a German attributive adjective formed with the intensifying prefix aller- added to höchste. It expresses the utmost degree, equivalent to “the highest of all” or “the very highest,” and is stronger than the straightforward höchste. It is commonly used before a noun to denote extreme priority or extremity, as in der allerhöchste Gipfel, die allerhöchste Priorität oder die allerhöchste Forderung.

Spelling and inflection follow standard adjective rules. Allerhöchste is written as one word and is declined like other adjectives: der allerhöchste Berg, des allerhöchsten Berges, dem allerhöchsten Berg, die allerhöchsten Berge; im Plural: die allerhöchsten Berge, der allerhöchsten Berge. The form can appear in various gendered and case forms depending on the sentence.

Usage notes: The construction is predominantly attributive and precedes the noun it modifies. It adds formal emphasis and is common in official language, journalism and literary prose. It appears in fixed phrases such as allereigentliche Priorität, allerhöchste Anforderungen oder allerhöchste Ansprüche. In everyday speech, speakers may opt for höchte or äußertste for a less emphatic effect.

Etymology and related forms: Aller- is a prefix used to form superlatives meaning “the very of all.” It pairs with adjectives to intensify them. Related forms include allerbeste, allerschönste, allerverlässlichste, and similar compounds that convey extremity. The usage of allerhöchste is established in modern German and covers both concrete and abstract nouns.