gröter

größter is the superlative form of the German adjective groß, meaning the largest or greatest. It denotes the highest degree of size, extent, importance, or intensity. In everyday language it is used before a noun to express that something is the utmost example of its kind, for instance der größte Mann (the largest man), das größte Auto (the largest car), or die größte Stadt (the largest city). The form adapts to gender, number, and determiner.

Declension and forms

When used with a definite article, the adjective endings are typically -e in the singular: der größte Mann, die größte Frau, das größte Haus. Without a determiner (strong declension), the masculine nominative singular is groß er → gröss ter in traditional notation, yielding größter Mann; feminine nominative singular becomes größte Frau; neuter nominative singular becomes größes Haus. Plural forms are größte Häuser, größte Männer, größte Frauen, depending on noun gender. The noun form Größte (capitalized) can also be used to mean “the greatest one,” as in Der Größte hat gewonnen.

Special usages

größter can function as a noun when capitalized, referring to the person or thing that is greatest in a given context, e.g., der Größte unter ihnen. In mathematics and related fields, phrases like größter gemeinsamer Teiler (greatest common divisor) employ the superlative in a technical sense, often appearing without an article: der größter gemeinsamer Teiler.

Orthography

The word uses the German umlaut and the ß in standard German orthography: gröβter or größer in older spellings; in Swiss Standard German, grösster may be used, reflecting regional orthographic conventions.

See also

Groß, Komparativ und Superlativ in German grammar; Größte (as a noun).