superior
superior Lexical Profile
superior Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Higher in quality, value, or standard; greater or better than another.
"The artisan used superior materials to ensure the furniture would last for generations."
Higher in rank, status, or official authority.
"She reported the discrepancy directly to her superior officer."
Showing an attitude of Patronizing self-importance, pride, or disdain toward others.
"He spoke in a superior tone that immediately alienated his new colleagues."
Situated higher up or closer to the top or head (especially in anatomy or botany).
"The superior vena cava carries deoxygenated blood from the upper half of the body to the heart."
• noun
A person of higher rank, status, or authority, especially in a workplace, military, or organization.
"She consulted her immediate superior before approving the budget request."
North American The largest and northernmost of the five Great Lakes of North America, straddling the border between Canada (Ontario) and the United States (Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan).
The head of a monastery, convent, or other religious community.
"The father superior welcomed the visiting scholars to the abbey library."
Word Nuance & Usage
When used in comparisons, 'superior' is followed by the preposition 'to' rather than 'than' (e.g., 'this model is superior to the previous one'), and because it is inherently comparative in meaning, it should not be modified by 'more'.
• Rhymes for superior
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Old French superiour, from Latin superior ('higher'), the comparative form of superus ('situated above'), derived from super ('above, over').