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Irregular comparatives: 'migliore', 'peggiore', 'maggiore', 'minore'

In Italian, you usually compare things by adding the word più before an adjective. However, four very common adjectives have special, irregular one-word comparatives. Just as you say better instead of more good in English, Italian has migliore instead of più buono.

English speakers often make mistakes by confusing when to use these words or by incorrectly combining them with più. Learning the specific rules for these four adjectives will make your Italian sound much more natural.

Word list
buonomA1 good forms the irregular comparative migliore cattivomA1 bad forms the irregular comparative peggiore grandeA1 big forms the irregular comparative maggiore miglioreA1 better is never used as più migliore piccolomA1 small forms the irregular comparative minore maggioreA2 older is used for age meglioA2 better is the comparative of buono minoreA2 younger is used for age peggioA2 worse is the comparative of cattivo peggioreA2 worse is never used as più peggiore maggioreB1 bigger often means greater or major minoreB1 smaller is used for abstract quantity or lesser
Good and bad

The adjectives buono and cattivo have the irregular comparative forms migliore and peggiore. You can still use the regular forms più buono and più cattivo in certain literal situations, like when talking about how tasty a cake is or how badly a dog is behaving.

However, for general judgments and abstract qualities, the irregular forms are strongly preferred.

Credo che questa sia la scelta migliore.
(I believe this is the better choice.)
La seconda opzione è peggiore della prima.
(The second option is worse than the first.)

There is one golden rule you must follow: never combine these irregular forms with più. A very common beginner mistake is saying più migliore. This sounds just as wrong in Italian as more better does in English.

Big and small

The adjectives grande and piccolo have the irregular comparative forms maggiore and minore. Unlike with good and bad, you do not use these irregular forms for physical size. If a house is physically bigger than another, you always use the regular form più grande.

Instead, maggiore and minore are used in two specific ways. First, they describe age when talking about siblings.

Mio fratello maggiore lavora a Roma.
(My older brother works in Rome.)
La mia sorella minore va ancora a scuola.
(My younger sister still goes to school.)

Second, they are used to describe abstract concepts, meaning greater, major, lesser, or minor.

Dobbiamo affrontare un problema maggiore.
(We have to face a greater problem.)
Questo progetto ha un costo minore.
(This project has a smaller cost.)
Summary

The adjectives buono, cattivo, grande, and piccolo have the special one-word comparatives migliore, peggiore, maggiore, and minore. Remember to use them for abstract qualities and sibling age, stick to the regular forms for physical size, and never put più in front of them.