super

¹

[ soo-per ]

noun

1. Informal.
   1. a superintendent, especially of an apartment house.
   2. supermarket.
   3. supernumerary.
   4. supervisor.
2. an article of a superior quality, grade, size, etc.
3. (in beekeeping) the portion of a hive in which honey is stored.
4. Printing. supercalendered paper.
5. Television. an additional image superimposed on the original video image:

   A super of the guest's name is included under the picture when the guest is introduced.

adjective

1. of the highest degree, power, etc.
2. of an extreme or excessive degree.
3. Informal. very good; first-rate; excellent.
4. (of measurement) superficial.
5. superfine.

adverb

1. Slang. very; extremely or excessively:

   super classy; a super large portion of food.

super-

²

1. a prefix occurring originally in loanwords from Latin, with the basic meaning “above, beyond.” Words formed with super- have the following general senses: “to place or be placed above or over” ( superimpose; supersede ), “a thing placed over or added to another” ( superscript; superstructure; supertax ), “situated over” ( superficial; superlunary ) and, more figuratively, “an individual, thing, or property that exceeds customary norms or levels” ( superalloy; superconductivity; superman; superstar ), “an individual or thing larger, more powerful, or with wider application than others of its kind” ( supercomputer; superhighway; superpower; supertanker ), “exceeding the norms or limits of a given class” ( superhuman; superplastic ), “having the specified property to a great or excessive degree” ( supercritical; superfine; supersensitive ), “to subject to (a physical process) to an extreme degree or in an unusual way” ( supercharge; supercool; supersaturate ), “a category that embraces a number of lesser items of the specified kind” ( superfamily; supergalaxy ), “a chemical compound with a higher proportion than usual of a given constituent” ( superphosphate ).

super.

³

abbreviation for

1. superintendent.
2. superior.

super-

¹

prefix

1. placed above or over

   superscript

2. of greater size, extent, quality, etc

   supermarket

3. surpassing others; outstanding

   superstar

4. beyond a standard or norm; exceeding or exceedingly

   supersonic

5. indicating that a chemical compound contains a specified element in a higher proportion than usual

   superoxide

super

²

/ ˈsuːpə /

adjective

1. informal.
   outstanding; exceptionally fine

noun

1. petrol with a high octane rating
2. informal.
   a superintendent or supervisor
3. informal.
   superannuation benefits
4. informal.
   superphosphate

interjection

1. informal.
   an enthusiastic expression of approval or assent

Word History and Origins

Origin of super¹

First recorded in 1620–30; 1920–25 super fordef 8; independent use of super- (construed as an adjective or adverb), or shortening of words prefixed with it

Origin of super²

< Latin super (preposition and v. prefix) above, beyond, in addition, to an especially high degree; akin to Greek hypér ( hyper- ), Sanskrit upari; over

Word History and Origins

Origin of super¹

from Latin super above

Origin of super²

from Latin: above

Example Sentences

They sit two points clear at the top having already played City and Arsenal - a scary prospect for those hoping to disrupt their pursuit of a sixth successive Women's Super League title.

From BBC

Paul called out Mexican super middleweight Canelo Álvarez, asking for a match that is extremely unlikely to happen given the boxers' relative stature in the sport.

From Salon

A potentially catastrophic super typhoon has made landfall in the Philippines - the sixth typhoon to hit the country in a month.

From BBC

Super Typhoon Man-Yi is expected to impact a large area, BBC Weather reports.

From BBC

Hard to believe that the 2022 Super Bowl winners have fallen so far so fast.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• great
• magnificent
• marvelous
• outstanding
• sensational
• superb
• terrific
• topnotch