kõigeim

Kõigeim is a term that appears only sporadically in discussions of Estonian language and is not part of standard usage. It is not widely attested in dictionaries or reference grammars, and its status is best described as nonstandard or experimental rather than a recognized word.

Etymology and form suggestions that have circulated in linguistic discussions treat kõigeim as a hypothetical or nonce formation built from the standard superlative particle kõige, which typically precedes an adjective or adverb to indicate the highest degree. The ending -im does not align with common Estonian inflection or comparative formation, which makes kõigeim appear as a creative or archaizing construct rather than a regular inflectional form.

Usage and interpretation in available discussions are cautious: if encountered, kõigeim would be understood as an intensifier meaning “the utmost” or “the most extreme,” but only in a context that signals play, poetry, or experimental language. Because it lacks established acceptability, editors and grammars usually treat it as a nonce form rather than a mainstream part of the language.

Relation to standard Estonian grammar is clear in that standard practice relies on kõige before the stem of an adjective or adverb (for example, kõige ilusam for “the most beautiful”). Kõigeim, by contrast, is not part of that system and would be viewed as a deviation from normative usage. It serves more as a linguistic curiosity or a case study in how new forms might arise in language play.

See also: kõige, Estonian superlative, Estonian grammar.