superb

[ soo-purb, suh- ]

adjective

1. admirably fine or excellent; extremely good:

   a superb performance.

2. sumptuous; rich; grand:

   superb jewels.

   Synonyms: elegant

3. of a proudly imposing appearance or kind; majestic:

   superb mountain vistas.

superb

/ sʊˈpɜːb; sjʊ- /

adjective

1. surpassingly good; excellent

   a superb actor

2. majestic or imposing

   a superb mansion

3. magnificently rich; luxurious

   the jubilee was celebrated with a superb banquet

Derived Forms

• suˈperbness, noun
• suˈperbly, adverb

Other Words From

• su·perb·ly adverb
• su·perb·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of superb¹

First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin superbus “proud, superior, excellent,” equivalent to super- super- + -bus adjectival suffix (akin to be )

Word History and Origins

Origin of superb¹

C16: from Old French superbe, from Latin superbus distinguished, from super above

Synonym Study

See magnificent.

Example Sentences

By noting which mutational sequences give an organism a superb advantage, you can predict which ones will grow and take hold.

From Nautilus

It features an E Ink display that uses ambient light that’s easy on the eyes and won’t wash out under direct sunlight and comes with a full-size scissor-switch keyboard that’s optimized for typing feel with its superb tactile response.

From Popular-Science

The ninth incarnation of the long-running car racing and stunts game may well be the best one yet, with superb visuals, plenty of depth, and high-adrenaline gameplay that will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.

From Popular-Science

Cheers to great-sounding tunes on a superb summer evening outdoors.

From Popular-Science

As was the case all season, Baylor’s superb triumvirate of Davion Mitchell, Jared Butler and MaCio Teague paved the way on both ends.

From FiveThirtyEight

The latest novel from Samantha Harvey is truly superb, but left its reviewer at a loss for how to describe it.

From The Daily Beast

Pryor wouldn't have succeeded without his superb intelligence, Williams wouldn't have succeeded without his abiding passion.

From The Daily Beast

You can sit at the counter, slurp a superb milk shake, and watch the action.

From The Daily Beast

In an excerpt from the new edition of his superb account of the artist Holy Terror, Bob Colacello considers his legacy and fame.

From The Daily Beast

He was superb as Henry II in The Lion in Winter, and very good in The Ruling Class.

From The Daily Beast

It was a decayed house of superb proportions, but of a fashion long passed away.

From Project Gutenberg

When she arrived she made a regular entry into the city in a coach all gold and glass, drawn by eight superb plumed horses.

From Project Gutenberg

Eve, too, lovely as she is, seems to bear no likelihood of resemblance to Milton's superb mother of mankind.

From Project Gutenberg

But he is as insolent as you could wish, and has a superb confidence in himself that his enemies call by the most offensive names.

From Project Gutenberg

The rays of the ascending sun were bright upon it: and the superb palace of the Spanish kings shone in its fullest splendour.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• admirable
• best
• breathtaking
• elegant
• exquisite
• fine
• glorious
• gorgeous
• great
• magnificent
• marvelous
• outstanding
• solid
• splendid
• stunning
• sublime
• superior
• superlative