Superior

Practice This Word

Higher in rank, quality, or value; better than others; outstanding or first-rate.

adjective

Superior

Higher in rank, quality, or value; better than others; outstanding or first-rate.

adjective

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Imagine This

Picture two tools side by side: one is a standard hammer and the other a gleaming, flawlessly balanced hammer labeled 'Superior.' The superior hammer outperforms the other in weight, finish, and durability, clearly above the rest.

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Sounds Like

SOO-PEER-EE-ər

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Looks Like

Looks like the word 'super' plus 'ior' — it begins with the prefix super- meaning above.

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Remember This

Remember that superior is usually followed by 'to' when making a comparison (superior to something). Do not use 'more superior' in standard English.

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Other Forms

superioritynoun

superiornoun

superiorlyadverb

superiorsnoun

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Connect With

higher, better, above, preeminent, elite

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Note

As an adjective, superior can mean higher in rank (as in a boss or supervisor) or higher quality. The noun form 'superior' refers to a person in authority or a higher rank. Common collocation: 'superior to'.

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Study Deeper

Examples

Her performance was superior to that of all other contestants.
This fabric offers superior durability and comfort compared to standard materials.

Synonyms

betterhigherpreeminentoutstandingtop

Antonyms

inferiorlowersecondary

Etymology

From Latin superior, meaning 'above', from superus 'above'; borrowed into English via Old French and Middle English, retaining the sense of being above or higher in rank or quality.

Mnemonic

Mnemonic: SUPERIOR = SUPER + IOR. Visualize a crown labeled SUPER perched above the letters I-O-R on a scoreboard, reminding you that this word means above others.