schlichst

Schlichst is a historical or dialectal form of the superlative of the German adjective schlicht, meaning plain, simple, or unadorned. In modern standard German, the superlative is typically formed with am schlichtsten, so schlichst is rarely used today and is mainly found in older texts, regional varieties, or stylistic writing that aims for an archaising effect.

Linguists treat schlichst as a relic of older patterns for forming degree endings. Over time, German orthography and usage standardized the common modern construction am …sten, while schlichst faded from everyday use. Some dictionaries classify the form as obsolete or dialectal, noting its appearance primarily in historical or literary contexts.

Because of its rarity, schlichst can cause ambiguity for readers unfamiliar with historical language forms. When composing for contemporary audiences, it is generally advisable to use the standard am schlichtsten or related expressions such as schlicht or einfach, depending on the intended nuance.

See also: schlichte, schlichtheit, schlichtweg, am schlichtsten, einfach.