ENGLISH
REFERENCE

super

adj. · adv. · n.
US //ˈsupɝ// UK //sˈuːpɐ// su·per
  1. 1 excellent (adj.)
    A2 Elementary Informal

    very good or wonderful.

    of excellent quality; exceptionally good or pleasing.

    Example

    We had a super time at the beach yesterday.

    Example

    The team did a super job on the presentation, exceeding all the client's expectations for the first quarter.
  2. 2 very (adv.)
    B1 Intermediate Informal

    used to mean 'very' or 'extremely'.

    used as an intensifier to mean 'very' or 'extremely'; functions similarly to the prefix 'super-'.

    Example

    I am super excited about the concert tonight.

    Example

    The new software is super easy to use, even for employees who have no prior technical training.
Show 3 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 building manager (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate American English Informal

    the person in charge of looking after an apartment building.

    a clipping of 'superintendent'; the person responsible for the maintenance and management of a residential building.

    Example

    I called the super because the heater in my apartment stopped working.

    Example

    The building super was quick to respond when the main water pipe burst in the basement late on Tuesday night.
  2. 4 retirement fund (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate British English Dialect Finance

    money saved for when you stop working.

    a clipping of 'superannuation'; a pension or retirement fund system.

    Example

    He decided to put more money into his super to prepare for retirement.

    Example

    Recent changes to the law mean that employers must contribute a higher percentage of wages into their employees' super accounts.

    Teacher's tip

    This sense is specific to Australia and New Zealand; learners in other regions should use 'pension' or '401k'.
  3. 5 extra actor (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Theatre

    an actor who has a very small part and no lines in a play or film.

    a clipping of 'supernumerary'; an actor who appears on stage or screen but has no speaking role.

    Example

    She worked as a super in the opera to see what it was like backstage.

    Example

    The production required dozens of supers to fill the stage during the elaborate coronation scene in the second act.
Etymology 1

From super- (prefix), from Middle English super-, from Latin super-, from super (“above”). Doublet of over and hyper.

Etymology 2

Abbreviation by shortening.

Word family
Idioms1 entry

© 2026 English Reference