super
- 01 A2 Elementary
adj.very good or wonderful.
adj.of excellent quality; exceptionally good or pleasing.
Simple“We had a super time at the beach yesterday.”
In context“The team did a super job on the presentation, exceeding all the client's expectations for the first quarter.”
- 02 B1 Intermediate
adv.used to mean 'very' or 'extremely'.
adv.used as an intensifier to mean 'very' or 'extremely'; functions similarly to the prefix 'super-'.
Simple“I am super excited about the concert tonight.”
In context“The new software is super easy to use, even for employees who have no prior technical training.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.the person in charge of looking after an apartment building.
n.a clipping of 'superintendent'; the person responsible for the maintenance and management of a residential building.
Simple“I called the super because the heater in my apartment stopped working.”
In context“The building super was quick to respond when the main water pipe burst in the basement late on Tuesday night.”
- 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.money saved for when you stop working.
n.a clipping of 'superannuation'; a pension or retirement fund system.
Simple“He decided to put more money into his super to prepare for retirement.”
In context“Recent changes to the law mean that employers must contribute a higher percentage of wages into their employees' super accounts.”
Teacher's tipThis sense is specific to Australia and New Zealand; learners in other regions should use 'pension' or '401k'.
Synonyms - 05 C1 Advanced
n.an actor who has a very small part and no lines in a play or film.
n.a clipping of 'supernumerary'; an actor who appears on stage or screen but has no speaking role.
Simple“She worked as a super in the opera to see what it was like backstage.”
In context“The production required dozens of supers to fill the stage during the elaborate coronation scene in the second act.”
“I was super proud and excited for her.”
“Cindy was super professional, as you can imagine.”
From super- (prefix), from Middle English super-, from Latin super-, from super (“above”). Doublet of over and hyper.
Abbreviation by shortening.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.