super

1 of 4

adjective

su·​per ˈsü-pər 

1

a

: of high grade or quality

b

—used as a generalized term of approval

a super cook

2

: very large or powerful

a super atomic bomb

3

: exhibiting the characteristics of its type to an extreme or excessive degree

super secrecy

super

2 of 4

noun

1

[by shortening]

a

: supernumerary

especially : a supernumerary actor

b

: superintendent, supervisor

especially : the superintendent of an apartment building

2

[short for obsolete superhive] : a removable upper story of a beehive

3

[super entry 1] : a superfine grade or extra large size

4

[origin unknown] : a thin loosely woven open-meshed starched cotton fabric used especially for reinforcing books

super

3 of 4

adverb

1

: very, extremely

a super fast car

2

: to an excessive degree

super-

4 of 4

prefix

1

a(1)

: over and above : higher in quantity, quality, or degree than : more than

superhuman

(2)

: in addition : extra

supertax

b(1)

: exceeding or so as to exceed a norm

superheat

(2)

: in or to an extreme or excessive degree or intensity

supersubtle

c

: surpassing all or most others of its kind

superhighway

2

a

: situated or placed above, on, or at the top of

superscript

specifically : situated on the dorsal side of

b

: next above or higher

supertonic

3

: having the (specified) ingredient present in a large or unusually large proportion

superphosphate

4

: constituting a more inclusive category than that specified

superfamily

5

: superior in status, title, or position

superpower

Synonyms of super

Adjective

• huge
• giant
• gigantic
• vast
• tremendous
• enormous
• massive
• colossal
• mammoth
• astronomical
• immense
• bumper
• monumental
• mighty
• big
• monster

Adverb

• extremely
• very
• incredibly
• terribly
• highly
• too
• damn
• so
• damned
• really
• badly

Examples of super in a Sentence

Adjective

We had a super time.

“Yes, I'd love to come.” “Super! I'll see you later.”

Adverb

my computer is super slow this morning

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Riyadh, meanwhile, has emerged as a key exit route for the super-rich and senior executives looking for safe passage out of the region, underlining the Saudi capital’s transformation in recent years. —semafor.com, 3 Mar. 2026

Construction began in January on the Avengers Campus expansion that will add the new Avengers Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab attractions to the Marvel super hero themed land. —Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 3 Mar. 2026

Noun

The World Cup continues with two downhills and a super-G in Italy next weekend. —ABC News, 1 Mar. 2026

Twenty years later, 82% voted to require a super-majority or four-fifths vote of county commissioners to remove lands from the boundary, change zoning, or sell off county lands within the boundary. —Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2026

Adverb

These hydrocolloid gel bandages seal the blister and provide cushioning against further friction, which will get your kids back in the mood to meet Minnie Mouse super fast. —Terri Peters, Parents, 6 Mar. 2026

If most of your outdoor soirées have a lengthy guest list, look no further than this super spacious seating set. —Michelle Baricevic, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

super-

Adverb

super-

Prefix

Latin, over, above, in addition, from super over, above, on top of — more at over

First Known Use

Adjective

1842, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1838, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

1946, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing super

• super-conservative
• super-duper
• super G
• super-glue
• super-minister
• super-person
• super-romantic
• super-spreader
• super-spreading

Rhymes for super

• grouper
• hooper
• keuper
• looper
• stupor
• trooper
• paratrooper

Kids Definition

super

1 of 4 adjective

su·​per ˈsü-pər 

1

—used as an overall term of approval

a super cook

2

: very large or powerful

a super atomic bomb

3

: showing the characteristics of its type to an extreme degree

super secrecy

super

2 of 4 noun

1

: an actor not listed with the regular cast

2

: superintendent, supervisor

super

3 of 4 adverb

1

: very entry 2 sense 1, extremely

a super fast car

2

: to a degree exceeding the usual or normal

super critical

super-

4 of 4 prefix

1

a

: over and above : higher in quantity, quality, or degree than : more than

superfine

superhuman

b

: exceeding or so as to exceed what is usual or normal

supercool

c

: bigger, better, or more important than others of the same kind

superhighway

superstar

2

a

: situated or placed above, on, or at the top of

superimpose

b

: next above or higher

supertonic

Etymology

Prefix

derived from Latin super "over, above"