grootgrotergrootst

Grootgrotergrootst is a nonstandard, constructed compound used mainly in linguistic explanations to illustrate the three degrees of the Dutch adjective groot: positief (groot), comparatief (groter), en superlatief (grootst). It is not an accepted word in normal Dutch writing or speech.

In everyday Dutch the degrees are formed with suffixes or accompanying words: the positive is groot; the comparative is groter; the superlative is grootst (as in het grootste) or de grootste when used with a noun. For example: “Een groot huis,” “Een groter huis,” “Het grootste huis.” In predicative constructions you might hear “het is groter dan…” and “het is het grootste.”

The concatenated form grootgrotergrootst appears only in teaching contexts, word games, or as a curiosity to show the progression of degree forms. It is not intended for actual usage in sentences. When encountered, it serves to emphasize the sequence of comparisons rather than to function as a legitimate lexeme.

Phonologically, the word reflects the stable oo in groot, with the comparative gro(er) and superlative grootst following typical Dutch spelling rules. However, Dutch normally separates the degrees and applies them to nouns or verbs in standard constructions rather than stacking them into a single word.

See also: degree of comparison, Dutch grammar, adjectives.