sur
sur — prefix
1. a prefix attached to verbs, adjectives, and nouns with the meaning 'over', 'abov
a prefix attached to verbs, adjectives, and nouns with the meaning 'over', 'above', or 'beyond' — for example, to surmount a problem means to get over it; a surreal experience goes beyond what seems real; a surface is the top side of something.
Ziad managed to surmount every obstacle during the marathon.
surmount = overcome; prefix meaning 'over'
The painting had a dreamlike, almost surreal quality that Linh loved.
surreal = beyond real; prefix meaning 'beyond'
Mira checked the surface of the old wooden table for scratches.
The hotel added a surcharge of twenty dollars for late check-out.
Diya's exam grade surpassed her own expectations by a wide margin.
- over-
a more productive English prefix (overcome, overflow, overcharge) used with a wider range of base words
- super-
a Latin prefix (superhuman, supermarket) with a similar meaning of 'above' but more common in modern coinages
- hyper-
a Greek prefix (hyperactive, hypersensitive) meaning 'excessive' or 'extremely', used in technical or informal contexts
用法筆記
The prefix sur- comes from French and Latin. It appears in formal and academic vocabulary more than in everyday conversation. Words formed with sur- often have a standard English alternative: surmount / overcome, surpass / exceed, surcharge / extra fee.