definitions

super

[ soo-per ]
/ ˈsu pər /
|
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR super ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

adjective

adverb

Slang. very; extremely or excessively: super classy; a super large portion of food.

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RELATED WORDS

sensational, great, outstanding, magnificent, topnotch, superb, terrific, marvelous, keen, divine, cool, smashing, glorious, groovy, hot, incomparable, matchless, neat, peerless, wonderful

Nearby words

sup, sup-, sup., sup. ct., supe, super, super band, super bowl, super giant slalom, super glue, super middleweight

Origin of super

1620–30; 1920–25 for def 8; independent use of super- (construed as an adj. or adv.), or shortening of words prefixed with it

Definition for super (2 of 3)

super-

a prefix occurring originally in loanwords from Latin, with the basic meaning “above, beyond.” Words formed with super- have the following general senses: “to place or be placed above or over” (superimpose; supersede), “a thing placed over or added to another” (superscript; superstructure; supertax), “situated over” (superficial; superlunary) and, more figuratively, “an individual, thing, or property that exceeds customary norms or levels” (superalloy; superconductivity; superman; superstar), “an individual or thing larger, more powerful, or with wider application than others of its kind” (supercomputer; superhighway; superpower; supertanker), “exceeding the norms or limits of a given class” (superhuman; superplastic), “having the specified property to a great or excessive degree” (supercritical; superfine; supersensitive), “to subject to (a physical process) to an extreme degree or in an unusual way” (supercharge; supercool; supersaturate), “a category that embraces a number of lesser items of the specified kind” (superfamily; supergalaxy), “a chemical compound with a higher proportion than usual of a given constituent” (superphosphate).

Origin of super-

< Latin super (preposition and v. prefix) above, beyond, in addition, to an especially high degree; akin to Greek hypér (see hyper-), Sanskrit upari; see over

Definition for super (3 of 3)

super.

superintendent.
superior.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for super

British Dictionary definitions for super (1 of 2)

super

/ (ˈsuːpə) /

adjective

informal outstanding; exceptionally fine

noun

petrol with a high octane rating
informal a superintendent or supervisor
Australian and NZ informal superannuation benefits
Australian and NZ informal superphosphate

interjection

British informal an enthusiastic expression of approval or assent

Word Origin for super

from Latin: above

British Dictionary definitions for super (2 of 2)

super-

prefix

placed above or oversuperscript
of greater size, extent, quality, etcsupermarket
surpassing others; outstandingsuperstar
beyond a standard or norm; exceeding or exceedinglysupersonic
indicating that a chemical compound contains a specified element in a higher proportion than usualsuperoxide

Word Origin for super-

from Latin super above
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for super

super-

pref.

Above; over; upon:superstructure.
Superior in size, quality, number, or degree:supersonic.
Exceeding a norm:supersaturate.
Excessive in degree or intensity:superexcitation.
Containing a specified ingredient in an unusually high proportion:superoxide.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.