superior

1 of 2

adjective

su·​pe·​ri·​or su̇-ˈpir-ē-ər 

1

: situated higher up : upper

2

: of higher rank, quality, or importance

3

: courageously or serenely indifferent (as to something painful or disheartening)

4

a

: greater in quantity or numbers

escaped by superior speed

b

: excellent of its kind : better

her superior memory

5

: being a superscript

6

a

of an animal structure : situated above or anterior or dorsal to another and especially a corresponding part

a superior artery

b

of a plant structure : situated above or near the top of another part: such as

(1)

of a calyx : attached to and apparently arising from the ovary

(2)

of an ovary : free from the calyx or other floral envelope

7

: more comprehensive

a genus is superior to a species

8

: affecting or assuming an air of superiority : supercilious

superiorly adverb

superior

2 of 2

noun

1

: one who is above another in rank, station, or office

especially : the head of a religious house or order

2

: one that surpasses another in quality or merit

3

: superscript

Synonyms

Adjective

• arrogant
• assumptive
• bumptious
• cavalier
• chesty
• haughty
• high-and-mighty
• high-handed
• high-hat
• highfalutin
• hifalutin
• huffish
• huffy
• imperious
• important
• lofty
• lordly
• masterful
• overweening
• peremptory
• pompous
• presuming
• presumptuous
• pretentious
• self-asserting
• self-assertive
• sniffy
• stiff-necked
• supercilious
• toplofty
• toploftical
• uppish
• uppity

Noun

• better
• elder
• senior

Examples of superior in a Sentence

Adjective

This new model offers superior performance.

The small army was overwhelmed by superior numbers.

He only helps us because it makes him feel superior.

Report to your superior officer.

The verdict was reversed by a superior court.

Noun

His superior gave him an excellent evaluation.

You should report any problems to your immediate superior.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

What makes The Bear superior to so many other comedies where flawed characters strive to become better people—Ted Lasso, Schitt’s Creek, Shrinking—is its patient realism. —Judy Berman, TIME, 27 June 2024

The mill worker with nobody else to ‘look down on’ regards himself as eminently superior to the Negro. —Lz Granderson, Sun Sentinel, 25 June 2024

Noun

Another current longtime customer service manager claimed to Fortune that their superior has confirmed as much. —Seamus Webster, Fortune, 6 June 2024

Everything from your diplomatic approach to your communication style is bound to make a favorable impression on your superiors and authority figures while paving the way for personal and professional recognition. —Valerie Mesa, Peoplemag, 4 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin, comparative of superus upper, from super over, above — more at over

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing superior

• highly superior autobiographical memory
• superior conjunction
• superior court
• superior general
• superior planet
• superior vena cava

Kids Definition

superior

1 of 2 adjective

su·​pe·​ri·​or su̇-ˈpir-ē-ər 

1

: situated higher up : upper

2

: of higher rank, quality, or importance

3

: courageously or calmly indifferent (as to something painful)

4

a

: greater in quantity or numbers

escaped by superior speed

b

: excellent of its kind : better

a superior memory

5

: covering or including more things

a genus is superior to a species

6

: feeling that one is better or more important than others

superiorly adverb

superior

2 of 2 noun

1

: one who is above another in rank, station, or office

especially : the head of a religious house or order

2

: one that goes beyond another in quality or merit

Medical Definition

superior

adjective

su·​pe·​ri·​or su̇-ˈpir-ē-ər 

1

: situated toward the head and further away from the feet than another and especially another similar part of an upright body especially of a human being

the superior medial edge of the patient's right scapula

—J. M. Lewis

compare inferior sense 1

2

: situated in a more anterior or dorsal position in the body of a quadruped compare inferior sense 2

Legal Definition

superior

adjective

su·​pe·​ri·​or

: of higher status, rank, or priority

Geographical Definition

Superior

geographical name

Su·​pe·​ri·​or su̇-ˈpir-ē-ər 

city and port on Lake Superior in northwestern Wisconsin population 27,244