Word
supersonic
Phoneticssu·per·son·ic, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌsupɝˈsɑnɪk/
UK/sˈuːpəsˈɒnɪk/
Definition
adj. moving or traveling faster than the speed of sound. You use this to describe very fast planes or the loud noise they make when they break the sound barrier.
adj. relating to or capable of achieving speeds greater than the speed of sound in the surrounding medium. Typically used attributively to describe aircraft, projectiles, or airflow.
Examples
“The supersonic jet crossed the ocean in record time.”
“Residents living near the airbase often hear a loud boom when the fighter jets reach supersonic speeds during training.”
“Engineers must account for extreme heat and pressure when designing the fuselage of a supersonic transport vehicle to ensure structural integrity at Mach 2.”
Examples
simple
“The supersonic jet crossed the ocean in record time.”
contextual
“Residents living near the airbase often hear a loud boom when the fighter jets reach supersonic speeds during training.”
complex
“Engineers must account for extreme heat and pressure when designing the fuselage of a supersonic transport vehicle to ensure structural integrity at Mach 2.”
Usage
Typically precedes the noun it modifies; often used in technical or aviation contexts.
Real-World Examples
“Airlines aimed to achieve a similar goal decades ago with a supersonic passenger aircraft called the Concorde .” Etymology
From super- + sonic. Doublet of hypersonic.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- 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
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/supersonic