What does "superb" mean?

1. (excellent) extremely good or of the highest quality. 2. (grand or magnificent) very impressive and grand in appearance. 3. (haughty or proud) acting as if you are better than other people.

How do you use "superb"?

This sense is rarely found in modern speech and is mostly encountered in 18th or 19th-century literature.

superb

adj.

US //sʊˈpɝb// UK //suːpˈɜːb// su·perb

1 excellent (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

extremely good or of the highest quality.

of the highest quality; exceptionally good or first-rate.

Example

The hotel provided superb service throughout our entire stay.

Example

The soloist gave a superb performance, demonstrating a level of technical mastery that left the audience in stunned silence.
- excellent
- outstanding
- first rate
2 grand or magnificent (adj.)
C1 Advanced Formal

very impressive and grand in appearance.

characterised by grandeur, magnificence, or stately beauty.

Example

The palace was a superb example of ancient architecture.

Example

The cathedral's superb proportions and intricate stonework make it one of the most significant historical landmarks in the region.
- modest
- plain

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3 haughty or proud (adj.)
C2 Proficiency Archaic Literary

acting as if you are better than other people.

showing an arrogant or haughty attitude toward others.

Example

The count gave a superb nod to the servants as he passed.

Example

In the old novel, the villain was described as having a superb disdain for anyone of a lower social class.

Usage

This sense is rarely found in modern speech and is mostly encountered in 18th or 19th-century literature.
- haughty
- arrogant
- proud
- humble

Origin

Learned borrowing from Latin superbus.

Word family

Adjectivesuperb
Adverbsuperbly