superb
soo-PURB
Superb (adj) means Excellent; of the highest quality. Example: “From the hilltop we had a superb view of the whole valley.”
adj
1
Excellent; of the highest quality.
"From the hilltop we had a superb view of the whole valley."
"This champagne is superb."
"The hundredodd pages of photographs provide superb iconography of artistic collaboration and its rewards."
— Dale Harris, Merce Cunningham (1975)
"The chef prepared a superb three-course meal."
"Her performance in the play was superb."
How to use superb
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA strong, formal way of saying something is excellent.
Common pairings
superb performance
superb quality
absolutely superb
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like superb.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Comparative
- superber
- Superlative
- superbest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
From the hilltop we had a _____ view of the whole valley.
Etymology
A learned borrowing from Latin superbus, "proud, magnificent" — related to super, "above".
Synonyms
View more →
magnificent
outstanding
splendid
first-rate
exceptional
sublime
brilliant
excellent
superlative
world-beating
Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “superb” mean?
The word “superb” means excellent; of the highest quality. In plain terms, a strong, formal way of saying something is excellent.
How do you pronounce “superb”?
“Superb” is pronounced soo-PURB (/suˈpɝb/ in IPA).
How do you use “superb” in a sentence?
Here is “superb” used in a sentence: “The chef prepared a superb three-course meal.”
What is another word for “superb”?
Words with a similar meaning to “superb” include excellent, superlative and world-beating.
What part of speech is “superb”?
“Superb” is an adjective.
Where does the word “superb” come from?
The word “superb” comes from Latin. A learned borrowing from Latin superbus, "proud, magnificent" — related to super, "above".
Is “superb” a common word?
“Superb” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between 'superb' and 'good'?
'Good' is a mild, general term of approval, while 'superb' is far stronger, meaning excellent or of the very highest quality. Describing a meal as 'superb' praises it much more highly than calling it 'good.' 'Superb' sits near the top of the scale, alongside words like magnificent and outstanding.
Is 'superb' stronger than 'great'?
Yes, 'superb' generally sounds stronger and more emphatic than 'great,' pointing to the highest level of quality rather than simply a high one. 'Great' is common and everyday, whereas 'superb' is more admiring. Both are positive, but 'superb' leaves less room above it.
What nouns are commonly described as 'superb'?
'Superb' frequently pairs with words like performance, view, quality, condition, and cuisine, as in 'a superb performance' or 'in superb condition.' It works well when praising skill, appearance, or standard. It suits both spoken and written English.
Is 'superb' formal or informal?
'Superb' is fairly neutral and works in both formal and informal settings, from reviews and reports to everyday praise. It sounds polished without being stiff. It is a safe choice when you want to express strong, genuine approval.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include superb:
