Word
superiority
Phoneticssu·pe·ri·or·i·ty, stress on the fourth syllable
US/ˌsupɪɹiˈɔɹɪti/
UK/suːpˌiəɹɪˈɒɹɪti/
Definitions
01being better or higher quality
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the state of being better, stronger, or more effective than others.
n. the state of being superior in quality, skill, or power. Uncountable in its abstract sense.
“The team proved their superiority by winning every game in the tournament.”
“The technological superiority of the new aircraft allowed the company to secure the contract despite the higher production costs.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02an arrogant attitude
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Formal
n. a feeling or way of behaving that shows you think you are better than other people.
n. an attitude of conceit or superciliousness based on a belief in one's own higher status or intelligence.
“He spoke with an air of superiority that made his colleagues feel uncomfortable.”
“Her quiet air of intellectual superiority often alienated her peers, who found her refusal to explain basic concepts condescending.”
Synonyms
03feudal land rights
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Law Archaic · Technical
n. in history, the legal right a lord had over land held by a lower-ranking person.
n. the legal right or interest which a superior holds in land occupied by a vassal. Used primarily in historical or legal contexts regarding feudalism.
“The lord maintained his superiority over the village lands for many generations.”
“Under the feudal system, the crown held the ultimate superiority of all lands, granting usage rights to nobles in exchange for military service.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“That is, maybe men are sick of moral superiority, especially coming from a woman, right?” “This man went to social media to brag about it — and, he said himself, to show his superiority.” Etymology
From Middle English superiorite, from Old French superiorite, from Medieval Latin superioritas, from Latin superior. Morphologically superior + -ity.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/superiority