superior
soo-PEER-ree-uh
Superior (adj) means Higher in rank, quality, or status than another. Example: “This fabric is superior to the cheaper alternative.”
adj
1
Higher in rank, quality, or status than another.
"This fabric is superior to the cheaper alternative."
"He reported the incident to his superior officer."
"The new model has a superior camera and a much longer battery life."
2
Acting as though one is better than others; arrogant.
"She gave a superior smile that annoyed everyone in the room."
"He has a superior attitude and never listens to anyone else's ideas."
"Don't take that superior tone with me, because you were wrong too."
noun
1
A person of higher rank, especially in a job or organisation.
"He always deferred to his superiors on major decisions."
"Please pass this report to your superior before the end of the day."
"She gets on well with her superiors and often receives praise."
How to use superior
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBetter or higher-ranking than something else — or, about a person's attitude, snobbishly self-important.
Common mistake
"Superior to" takes "to", not "than" (superior to, not superior than) — unlike comparatives such as "better than".
Common pairings
superior to
superior officer
feel superior
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Word forms
- Plural
- superiors
- Comparative
- more superior
- Superlative
- most superior
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
This fabric is _____ to the cheaper alternative.
Etymology
From Old French superiour, from Latin superior, "higher, upper" — the comparative form of super, "above".
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for superior
See all rhymes for superior →Frequently asked questions
What does “superior” mean?
The word “superior” means higher in rank, quality, or status than another. In plain terms, better or higher-ranking than something else — or, about a person's attitude, snobbishly self-important.
How do you pronounce “superior”?
“Superior” is pronounced soo-PEER-ree-uh (/sʊˈpɪɹ.i.ɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “superior” in a sentence?
Here is “superior” used in a sentence: “This fabric is superior to the cheaper alternative.”
What is another word for “superior”?
Words with a similar meaning to “superior” include crowning, ferior, foremost, greater, higher and major.
What is the opposite of “superior”?
The opposite of “superior” — its antonyms — are inferior and equivalent.
What part of speech is “superior”?
Depending on how it is used, “superior” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “superior” come from?
The word “superior” comes from Latin. From Old French superiour, from Latin superior, "higher, upper" — the comparative form of super, "above".
Is “superior” a common word?
“Superior” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between superior and inferior?
They are direct opposites. Superior means higher in rank, quality, or status, while inferior means lower in those same respects. A superior product outperforms its rivals; an inferior one falls short. The pair is often used to compare two things directly, one rated above the other.
What is the difference between superior and better?
Both say one thing surpasses another, but 'superior' is stronger and more formal, often implying a clear or marked advantage in rank or quality. 'Better' is the everyday comparative and can describe even a slight edge. Note that superior is followed by 'to', not 'than': superior to, not superior than.
Is 'superior' a positive word?
It depends. Describing quality or rank, superior is positive, so superior craftsmanship is a compliment. But applied to a person's manner, 'superior' turns negative, suggesting arrogance or looking down on others, as in a superior smile. The same word can praise a thing yet criticise an attitude.
What is the opposite of superior?
The main opposite is inferior, meaning lower in rank, quality, or status. Depending on context, words like lesser, worse, subordinate, or second-rate also serve. When 'superior' describes an arrogant manner, its opposites shift to humble or modest instead. Pick the antonym that matches the sense you mean.
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