altísimo

Altísimo is the superlative form of alto in Spanish. It functions primarily as an adjective meaning extremely high or very tall, and it can also be used to express a high degree of other qualities. Its feminine form is altísima and its plural forms are altísimos (masculine) and altísimas (feminine). Etymologically it comes from Latin altissimus, built from altus “high” with the superlative suffix -issimus.

In everyday use, altísimo describes physical height or elevation, as in un edificio altísimo or una montaña altísima. It can also refer to intensity in other domains, such as volumen altísimo (extremely loud volume) or ruido altísimo (very loud noise). In this broad sense, altísimo conveys strong emphasis and can often be substituted by very high or extremely.

Religious usage is common in Spanish and often capitalized when used as a proper epithet for the divine. Phrases such as el Altísimo or El Altísimo Dios appear in Bible translations, liturgy, and devotional writing to denote the Most High.

In music and scholarly contexts, altissimo (an Italian term) designates the highest possible register. When Spanish texts address this concept, the term altissimo is often preserved in its original language, while altísimo may be used in non-technical prose to convey the sense of the highest range.

Form and usage notes: the adverbial form altísimamente exists but is rare; more commonly Spanish would use phrases like extremadamente or muy to modify verbs or adjectives. Examples: La torre es altísima; El Altísimo bendiga a los fieles.