There are two general forms.
(1) First Form
Comparative -τερος -τερα -τερον
Superlative -τατος -τατη -τατον
(a) These terminations are added to the adjective stem. Thus:-
πιστος faithful
πιστοτερος πιστοτερα πιστοτερον – more faithful
ευγενης noble
ευγενεστερος ευγενετερα ευγενετερον – more noble
Βαθυς – deep
Βαθυτερος Βαθυτερα Βαθυτερον – deeper
and :-
πιστοτατος πιστοτατη πιστοτατον – most faithful
ευγενεστατος ευγενεστατη ευγενεστατον – most noble
Βαθυτατος Βαθυτατη Βαθυτατον – deepest
(b) The stem-ending ο (in the First Form of adjectives) when preceded by a short vowel, is changed in the comparative and superlative into ω. Thus:-
σοφος wise
σοφωτερος σοφωτερα σοφωτερον – wiser
σοφωτατος σοφωτατη σοφωτατον – wisest
νεος new
νεωτερος νεωτερα νεωτερον newer
νεωτατος νεωτατη νεωτατον newest
(c) The declension of the First form of comparative and superltive follows that of the First Form of the adjectives.
(2) Second Form
Comparative in -ιων -ιον (-ιον).
Superlative in -ιστος, -ιστη -ιστον
(a) In this form the adjective stem is generally modified.
μεγας great,
Comparative μειζων (for μεγιων), once μειζοτερος, 3 John 4
Superlative μεγιστοσ greatest
ταχυς swift ταχιων ταχιστος
καλος fair καλλιων καλλιστος
πολυς much; plural many πλειων πλειστος
(b) Several comparatives and superlatives are ‘irregular’ , i.e. formed from different roots. (So in English good, better, best ; bad, worse, worst).
αγαθος good Βελτιων κρεισσων Βελτιστος κρατιστος
κακος evil κακιων χειρων κακιστος
μικρος little μικροτερος ελασσων ελαχιστος
Once ελαχιστοτερος “less than the least,” in Ephesians 3:8
(c) Comparatives of the Second form are declined like σωφρων, except that is some cases contraction is caused by dropping the ν. Thus μειζω (= μειζοα) instead of μειζονα, and μειζους (-μειζοες) instead of μειζονες.
(d) Comparative and superlative without a positive:-
(προ preposition, before) προτερος former, προτος first.
Superlative without comparative positive:-
(υψος, height) υψιστος, highest
