leichteste

Leichteste is the superlative form of the German adjective leicht, which can mean either easy or light in weight. As such, leichteste can describe the most easy or the lightest among a group, depending on the context. The word can function attributively, predicatively, or nominally.

As an attributive adjective, leichteste declines like other weak-declension adjectives after a definite article. Examples include der leichteste Weg (the easiest path), die leichteste Aufgabe (the easiest task), and das leichteste Gewicht (the lightest weight). In different cases and genders the endings change accordingly: des leichtesten Weges, der leichtesten Aufgabe, des leichtesten Gewichts; dem leichtesten Weg, der leichtesten Aufgabe, dem leichtesten Gewicht.

Leichteste can also be nominalized and used as a noun with capital initial letter: das Leichteste. This usage refers to the thing that is lightest or, more broadly, the easiest option being compared. Example: Aus den drei Objekten ist das Leichteste das Kügelchen.

As an adverb, the comparative and superlative are formed with am and -sten: am leichtesten. This form is used to express the manner or degree of ease or lightness, as in Von allen Varianten ist diese am leichtesten umzusetzen (Of all variants, this one is the easiest to implement).

Etymology: leicht comes from the Germanic lexeme meaning weight or ease, and the superlative is formed with the suffix -ste. The word thus covers both senses of “easy” and “light,” with the appropriate meaning evident from the noun or context it modifies.