superior
/suːˈpɪəriə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · [supˈɪriɚ] /suːˈpɪriər/ (ame, ipa) · [supˈɪriɚ] /su̇-ˈpir-ē-ər/ (ame, mw) · /suːˈpɪə.ri.ər/ (bre, ipa) · [supˈɪriɚ] /səˈpɪr.i.ɚ/ (ame, ipa)
superior — adjective
- superiorpositive
- more superiorcomparative
- most superiorsuperlative
1. Markedly better in quality, standard, or performance when compared against typic
Markedly better in quality, standard, or performance when compared against typical alternatives of its kind. For instance, a superior product outperforms ordinary versions, and a superior student earns higher grades than most classmates.
The hotel offers superior service at a lower price than its main competitor.
pattern: superior + at + noun phrase
Élise received a scholarship because of her superior academic record.
collocation: superior academic record
This leather is far superior to the cheaper materials used by other brands.
Tomás was chosen for the elite squad due to his superior physical fitness.
Store-brand products are sometimes superior in quality to the expensive name brands.
- better
more general and less formal than superior
- top-notch
informal; emphasizes the highest end of quality
- first-rate
slightly old-fashioned but still common for excellent quality
- outstanding
focuses on standing out noticeably from the rest
- inferior
the direct opposite in quality or standard
文法句型
superior + to + noun phrase
用法筆記
When making a direct comparison, the preposition is always to (never than): 'Product A is superior to Product B.'
常見錯誤
2. Behaving or speaking in a way that shows you believe you are better, more import
Behaving or speaking in a way that shows you believe you are better, more important, or more intelligent than other people, often in an unpleasant or rude manner.
The waiter gave us a superior smile when we asked about the menu.
collocation: superior smile
Adisa disliked his boss's superior attitude during team meetings.
collocation: superior attitude
Speaking in a superior tone only makes people less willing to listen to you.
Harper found Cole's comments about her accent rather superior and rude.
- condescending
more direct and common; implies talking down to someone
- arrogant
broader; describes a person's general belief in their own importance
- snobbish
suggests looking down on people of lower social class or taste
- haughty
more formal and literary; suggests proud contempt for others
- humble
opposite of showing self-importance
用法筆記
This sense always describes a person's behaviour or expression of attitude, not objective quality. It carries a negative judgment.
常見錯誤
3. Having a higher position, level of authority, or status within an organization,
Having a higher position, level of authority, or status within an organization, society, or system. For example, a superior officer in the military or a superior court in the legal system.
New soldiers must salute any superior officer they encounter on the base.
collocation: superior officer
A captain is superior to a lieutenant in the navy chain of command.
pattern: is superior to — hierarchical comparison
The Supreme Court is superior to all lower courts in the federal legal system.
Min was promoted to a superior position after only two years with the firm.
A superior body must approve any changes to the organisation's rules.
- higher-ranking
more transparent and commonly used for people
- higher-level
focuses on position in a hierarchy rather than personal rank
- senior
emphasises experience or length of service rather than rank
- subordinate
a person under someone else's authority
- junior
lower in rank or position
文法句型
superior + to + noun phrase
用法筆記
When ranking two entities within the same hierarchy, use 'superior to': 'A colonel is superior to a major.' Can also describe a court of appeals or governing body with authority over lower-level bodies.
常見錯誤
4. Positioned above another body part, situated nearer the head. Used mainly in med
Positioned above another body part, situated nearer the head. Used mainly in medical and anatomical descriptions of the human body.
The superior vena cava returns blood from the upper body to the heart.
domain: medical terminology; collocation: superior vena cava
In anatomy class, students learned that the mouth is superior to the chin.
pattern: is superior to — anatomical position
The superior lobe of the right lung showed signs of infection on the scan.
A small fracture was found on the superior edge of the patient's shoulder blade.
- inferior
the anatomical opposite — closer to the feet
用法筆記
In anatomy, superior is the standard directional term meaning 'toward the head.' The opposite is inferior ('toward the feet'). Not used in everyday descriptions of body position.
superior — noun
- superiorsingular
- superiorsplural
1. A person who holds a higher rank or position than someone else within an organis
A person who holds a higher rank or position than someone else within an organisation, such as a manager, director, or officer whom others must report to.
Every new employee reports directly to their immediate superior for the first three months.
collocation: immediate superior
Kian decided to speak to his superior about the unfair workload distribution.
The office staff bought a birthday present for their departing superior.
Padma always addresses her superiors with respect and a professional tone.
- boss
less formal and more general; can refer to any manager
- manager
specific to workplace roles; less formal than superior
- supervisor
someone who directly oversees day-to-day work
- subordinate
a person under someone else's authority
- junior
someone lower in rank or position
用法筆記
Usually refers to someone within the same organisation rather than external authorities. Frequently used with possessive determiners: my superior, her superior, their superiors.