# superior

/suˈpɪɹiɝ/ (US) · /suːpˈiəɹɪɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/superior
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. better quality

adjective · CEFR B2

better in quality than other things of the same type.

For teachers: of higher quality, excellence, or value compared to others of its kind.

- The new leather is clearly superior to the cheap material we used last year.
- The manufacturer claims that their synthetic insulation provides superior warmth-to-weight ratios compared to traditional down feathers.

### 2. higher rank

adjective · CEFR B2

having a higher position or rank in an organisation.

For teachers: higher in station, rank, or degree within a hierarchical structure.

- She had to get approval from a superior officer before making the change.
- The sergeant reported the breach of protocol to a superior officer, as required by the military code of conduct.

### 4. physical position

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

located higher up on the body or in a specific space.

For teachers: situated above or in a higher position; in anatomy, referring to a structure nearer the head.

- The superior part of the heart is where the large blood vessels enter.
- The superior vena cava is the large vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the upper half of the body to the right atrium.

Usage: In medical contexts, it is the opposite of 'inferior'.

### 5. a boss or manager

noun · CEFR B2

a person who has a higher rank than you at work.

For teachers: a person of higher rank or status, particularly a direct manager or a high-ranking member of a religious order.

- If you have a problem with the schedule, please speak to your immediate superior.
- The employee felt that his superior had unfairly dismissed his suggestions during the quarterly review meeting.

## Examples

- You should discuss this issue with your immediate superior.
- The manager reported the safety concerns to her superior before making any public statements.
- While the junior officers respected his tactical knowledge, they found it difficult to approach their superior with suggestions that contradicted his established protocols.

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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.