wertvollste

Wertvollste is the superlative form of the German adjective wertvoll, meaning most valuable, precious, or of high value. It is used to indicate the highest degree of value within a defined set of objects, concepts, or qualities. The form is built from the stem wertvoll with the suffix -ste, and its inflected endings follow standard German adjective declension depending on case, gender, and article.

In attributive position, wertvollste appears with appropriate article and endings, for example der wertvollste Stein (masculine nominative), die wertvollste Münze (feminine nominative), das wertvollste Gut (neuter nominative). In predicative use, phrases like Das Gemälde ist am wertvollsten or Das ist das wertvollste der Sammlung are common ways to express that something is the most valuable within a group. The compound or comparative structure can also appear as einer der wertvollsten Steine (one of the most valuable stones).

Substantivische Verwendung is possible: das Wertvollste can function as a noun meaning “the most valuable thing,” capitalized when treated as a noun in German.

Etymology and related forms: wertvoll derives from Wert (value) with the suffix -voll meaning “full of.” The adjective’s superlative is regularly formed with -ste, and related words include Wert, wertvoller, and wertvollste in various syntactic contexts.

See also: Wert (value), wertvoll (valuable), Superlativ (superlative).