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
Synonym Usage
See magnificent.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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"
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A Single Shard
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"Frederick Douglass"
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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.
Their places are now under immense pressure from Capsey, who hit nine fours and three sixes and put on 137 in a superb partnership with Knight.
From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026
The actor gives a distinguished, surprising performance as the jealous general in Simon Godwin’s superb production at the Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026
“We believe MGM’s management team is superb, and that there is a compelling opportunity to support MGM’s next phase of growth and help unlock its full value,” Diller said in a statement Monday.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 1, 2026
“We believe MGM’s management team is superb, and that there is a compelling opportunity to support MGM’s next phase of growth and help unlock its full value.”
From Barron's • Jun. 1, 2026
He wanted the finest roast beef possible; he wanted the wines to be superb.
From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy
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.
