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

While many business professionals are likely familiar with the steps of basic decision making, the challenge lies in refining and optimizing this process to achieve superior outcomes. —Michael Shribman, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024

Timothée Chalamet’s performance in this is superior. —Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 21 Nov. 2024

Noun

Jeremi Gorman, his previous superior, left in October of last year. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 29 Oct. 2024

In both cases, Paul later told ProPublica, his immediate superiors signed off on the sales over his objections. —Brett Murphy, ProPublica, 4 Oct. 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