# superb

/sʊˈpɝb/ (US) · /suːpˈɜːb/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/superb
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. excellent

adjective · CEFR B2

extremely good or of the highest quality.

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

- The hotel provided superb service throughout our entire stay.
- The soloist gave a superb performance, demonstrating a level of technical mastery that left the audience in stunned silence.

### 2. grand or magnificent

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

very impressive and grand in appearance.

For teachers: characterised by grandeur, magnificence, or stately beauty.

- The palace was a superb example of ancient architecture.
- The cathedral's superb proportions and intricate stonework make it one of the most significant historical landmarks in the region.

### 3. haughty or proud

adjective · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

acting as if you are better than other people.

For teachers: showing an arrogant or haughty attitude toward others.

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

## Examples

- The hotel provides superb service to all its guests.
- The chef received a superb review from the city's most demanding food critic.
- The soloist gave a superb performance that demonstrated not only technical mastery but also a profound emotional connection to the score.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.