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

The first trailer for the game begins with a conversation between M, Bond’s classic superior and occasional foil, and Greenway, an original character described by IO Interactive’ website as a mentor figure (although no voice actors for the roles have been announced). —Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 18 June 2025

The dining room’s massive plate glass windows look onto the busy Via del Tritone for superior people watching without the exhaust and noise of traffic. —Katie Kelly Bell, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025

Noun

Martian clashes over tactics with his superior (Jeffrey Wright), who tussles with his superior (Richard Gere) while their superior, the director of the CIA (Dominic West), periodically beams in from Washington, D.C., to cast doubt over the entire high-risk operation. —Hugh Hart, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2025

Richie ends up attempting to plan a hit on Tony, but after his request is denied by mob superiors, Uncle Junior tips Tony off. —Skyler Trepel, People.com, 10 June 2025

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

Rhymes for superior

• anterior
• exterior
• inferior
• interior
• ulterior

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