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
Related Words
See magnificent.
Other Word Forms
- superbly adverb
- superbness noun
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.
Kaija Saariaho’s “Innocence,” one of the most important new operas of this century, finally made it to the Metropolitan Opera on Monday in a superb performance.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026
He still has the ability; adding that to his know-how and the superb character of a man who was always highly popular with his England team-mates, I would put him in my squad.
From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026
While Kelly dawdled for the decisive goal, Bain made a superb save late on to deny Manchester United's Amad Diallo.
From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026
Comprising 30 objects, the one-room presentation occupies the hallowed funerary gallery at the far-west end of the superb Egyptian wing.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026
You look superb in the light from the Mexican bar windows.
From "Genuine Fraud" by E. Lockhart
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.
