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

The company has claimed that its actuators are backdrivable and super-torque-transparent. —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 26 Nov. 2025

While super prime has steadily grown since the pandemic, subprime has returned to pre-pandemic levels—leaving the middle tiers increasingly thinner. —Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025

Noun

The film launched the swoon-worthy actor into super-stardom. —Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE, 11 Nov. 2025

Since Arnold Schwarzenegger threw down with an intergalactic alien super-hunter in the jungle back in 1987, the franchise has churned out a sci-fi action flick every so often to keep the Predators alive and kicking in pop culture. —Brian Truitt, USA Today, 9 Nov. 2025

Adverb

The 2000s collections are super inspiring. —Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 25 Nov. 2025

This super functional, pre-seasoned version from Lodge gives you two versions for the price of one thanks to its skillet lid. —Gabriela Izquierdo, Southern Living, 24 Nov. 2025

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"