Definition of 'superior'

Word Frequency

superior

(suːpɪəriəʳ )

Word forms: plural superiors

1. adjective

If one thing or person is superior to another, the first is better than the second.

We have a relationship infinitely superior to those of many of our friends. [+ to]

...a woman greatly superior to her husband in education and sensitivity.

Long-term stock market investments have produced superior returns compared with cash deposits.

Synonyms: better, higher, greater, grander More Synonyms of superior

superiority uncountable noun

He asserts the superiority of free enterprise over other economic systems. [+ over/to]

2. adjective

If you describe something as superior, you mean that it is good, and better than other things of the same kind.

A few years ago it was virtually impossible to find superior quality coffee in local shops.

Lulu was said to be of very superior intelligence.

3. adjective

A superior person or thing is more important than another person or thing in the same organization or system.

...negotiations between the mutineers and their superior officers.

Locally passed laws are of superior authority to those laws passed in the capital.

[Also + to]

Synonyms: higher-ranking, senior, higher-level, upper-level More Synonyms of superior

4. countable noun

Your superior in an organization that you work for is a person who has a higher rank than you.

Other army units are completely surrounded and cut-off from communication with their superiors.

The company president, and my immediate superior, was the dynamic Harry Stokes.

5. adjective

If you describe someone as superior, you disapprove of them because they behave as if they are better, more important, or more intelligent than other people.

[disapproval]

Finch gave a superior smile.

You can stand there and feel superior as you point and laugh at them.

Synonyms: supercilious, patronizing, condescending, haughty More Synonyms of superior

superiority uncountable noun

...a false sense of his superiority over mere journalists. [+ over]

Synonyms: supremacy, lead, advantage, excellence More Synonyms of superior

6. adjective

If one group of people has superior numbers to another group, the first has more people than the second, and therefore has anadvantage over it.

[formal]

The demonstrators fled when they saw the authorities' superior numbers.

His men were far superior numerically.

7. countable noun [poss NOUN, oft N in n]

If you describe someone as your superior in a particular activity, you mean that they are better than you at that activity.

[written]

Anthony sometimes felt that his mistress was his superior in will-power.

His rival was probably his superior in comic roles.

More Synonyms of superior

Video: pronunciation of
superior

superior in British English

(suːˈpɪərɪə )

adjective

greater in quality, quantity, etc

of high or extraordinary worth, merit, etc

higher in rank or status

a superior tribunal

displaying a conscious sense of being above or better than others; supercilious

5. (often postpositive; foll by to)

not susceptible (to) or influenced (by)

placed higher up; situated further from the base

7. astronomy

(of a planet) having an orbit further from the sun than the orbit of the earth

(of a conjunction) occurring when the sun lies between the earth and an inferior planet

(of a plant ovary) situated above the calyx and other floral parts

9. anatomy

(of one part in relation to another) situated above or higher

10. printing

(of a character) written or printed above the line; superscript

noun

11.

a person or thing of greater rank or quality

12. printing

a character set in a superior position

13. (often capital)

the head of a community in a religious order

▶ USAGE Superior should not be used with than: he is a better (not a superior) poet than his brother; his poetry is superior to (not superior than) his brother's

Derived forms

superioress (suˈperioress)

feminine noun

superiority (suːˌpɪərɪˈɒrɪtɪ ) or rare superiorship (suːˈpɪərɪərʃɪp)

noun

superiorly (suˈperiorly)

adverb

Word origin

C14: from Latin, from superus placed above, from super above

Word Frequency

Superior in British English

(suːˈpɪərɪə , sjuː-)

noun

Lake Superior

Word Frequency

Superior in American English

(səˈpɪriər )

Lakelargest & westernmost of the Great Lakes, between Mich. & Ontario, Canada: 31,700 sq mi (82,103 sq km)

Word origin

orig. so called in Fr (Supérieur), from its position above Lake Huron

Word Frequency

superior in American English

(səˈpɪriər )

adjective

higher in space; placed higher up; upper

high or higher in order, status, rank, etc.

greater in quality or value than

with to

above average in quality; excellent

refusing to give in to or be affected by

with to

a person superior to temptation

showing a feeling of being better than others; haughty

more comprehensive or inclusive; generic

said of terms, concepts, etc.

8. Anatomy

located above or directed upward

9. Astronomy

farther from the sun than the earth is: said of six planets

designating that conjunction which occurs when the sun is directly between the earth and an inferior planet

10. Botany

attached above some other organ, as the ovary of a hypogynous flower

of the upper or adaxial petal of an axillary flower

11. Printing

placed above the type line, as 2 in x2

noun

12.

a superior person or thing

13.

the head of a religious community

Derived forms

superiorly (suˈperiorly)

adverb

Word origin

OFr < L, compar. of superus, that is above < super: see super-

Examples of 'superior' in a sentence
superior

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content.Read more…

They have to establish that they are morally superior to people who disagree with them.They live in a world where it seems they feel they are superior beings.The horrified reaction of his religious superiors led to the idea being quickly dropped.The end product is certainly a superior one.We have the knowledge to make a far superior synthetic alcohol.It was like encountering some superior intelligence from outer space.The sound quality is superior to other devices.Prices are per person for two people sharing a superior room.Reading him is undemanding and might help make us feel superior. Religious superiors cannot be spared responsibility for enforcing prudence.

Word lists with
superior

lake

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