superb

[soo-purb, suh-]

adjective

1. admirably fine or excellent; extremely good.

   a superb performance.

2. sumptuous; rich; grand.

   superb jewels.

   Synonyms: elegant

3. of a proudly imposing appearance or kind; majestic.

   superb mountain vistas.

superb

/ sjʊ-, sʊˈpɜːb /

adjective

1. surpassingly good; excellent

   a superb actor

2. majestic or imposing

   a superb mansion

3. magnificently rich; luxurious

   the jubilee was celebrated with a superb banquet

Other Word Forms

• superbly adverb
• superbness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of superb¹

First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin superbus “proud, superior, excellent,” equivalent to super- super- + -bus adjectival suffix (akin to be )

Word History and Origins

Origin of superb¹

C16: from Old French superbe, from Latin superbus distinguished, from super above

Synonym Study

See magnificent.

Example Sentences

Williams seized control by winning the first four frames without reply and made a superb 127 break in the last frame of the opening session to go with his six earlier half-centuries.

Read more on BBC

Burke's superb try in the 26th minute ensured Saracens trailed only 10-7 at half-time at The Stoop.

Read more on Barron's

O'Neill admired the performance of his young side, who have made a superb start to qualifying.

Read more on BBC

After that superb opening game, coach Jim Harbaugh had a message for everyone who had ridiculed his young receiver over the years:

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Mr. Winter is superb as Didi, the marginally more decisive and inquisitive of the two principal characters.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• admirable 
• best 
• breathtaking 
• elegant 
• exquisite 
• fine 
• glorious 
• gorgeous 
• great 
• magnificent 
• marvelous 
• outstanding 
• solid 
• splendid 
• stunning 
• sublime 
• superior 
• superlative