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
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.
Meanwhile, highlights from the museum’s art nouveau holdings can be viewed in a small but superb 6th-district museum, the György Ráth Villa.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2026
A superb double jab and right hook from Smith in the ninth was answered by an uppercut and hook to the body from Puello, showcasing the quality of both fighters.
From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2026
As for Hüller, this is another superb performance in a series of them in recent years.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 23, 2026
Ms. Hüller, however—the superb actress from such films as “Anatomy of a Fall,” “Toni Erdmann” and, dare I say, “Digger”—gets more room to maneuver, not being burdened by the weight of playing a Great Man.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2026
She had the curiosity of a true scientist, the patience it took to raise insects, and the superb artistic skill necessary to share her observations.
From "The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed Science" by Joyce Sidman
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
