superb
Americanadjective
-
admirably fine or excellent; extremely good.
a superb performance.
-
sumptuous; rich; grand.
superb jewels.
- Synonyms:
- elegant
-
of a proudly imposing appearance or kind; majestic.
superb mountain vistas.
adjective
-
surpassingly good; excellent
a superb actor
-
majestic or imposing
a superb mansion
-
magnificently rich; luxurious
the jubilee was celebrated with a superb banquet
Related Words
See magnificent.
Other Word Forms
- superbly adverb
- superbness noun
Etymology
Origin of superb
First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin superbus “proud, superior, excellent,” equivalent to super- super- + -bus adjectival suffix (akin to be )
Explanation
The movie far surpassed expectations. It was superb. That 5-star hotel? Also superb. Anything that goes beyond being great can be called superb. Start by noticing that superb contains super, and you're more than halfway to remembering its meaning. The only real difference between super and superb (besides the letter "b") is that something superb is surprisingly or especially excellent. A taco that tastes great might be super. But if it's among the very best tacos you've ever eaten, it's superb. Dinner tonight? Super! How was dinner? It was superb!
Vocabulary lists containing superb
Thumbs Up: Synonyms for "Good"
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
A Single Shard
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"Frederick Douglass"
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It was a superb campaign as the Lionesses surpassed expectations before being eliminated in heartbreaking fashion as centre-half Laura Bassett's stoppage-time own goal settled the semi-final against Japan.
From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026
Kaija Saariaho’s “Innocence,” one of the most important new operas of this century, finally made it to the Metropolitan Opera on Monday in a superb performance.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026
The Gunners keeper made four superb saves in his latest excellent display in the 1-0 Champions League victory over Sporting, with Kai Havertz hitting a late winner.
From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026
Comprising 30 objects, the one-room presentation occupies the hallowed funerary gallery at the far-west end of the superb Egyptian wing.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026
But he had proven himself as a superb academic administrator, earning his spurs honing consensus among the fractious faculty cliques on the MIT campus.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
