Definition Definition

superior - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'superior' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Superior [ a.]
- More elevated in place or position; higher; upper; as, the superior limb of the sun; the superior part of an image.
- Higher in rank or office; more exalted in dignity; as, a superior officer; a superior degree of nobility.
- Higher or greater in excellence; surpassing others in the greatness, or value of any quality; greater in quality or degree; as, a man of superior merit; or of superior bravery.
- Beyond the power or influence of; too great or firm to be subdued or affected by; -- with to.
- More comprehensive; as a term in classification; as, a genus is superior to a species.
- Above the ovary; -- said of parts of the flower which, although normally below the ovary, adhere to it, and so appear to originate from its upper part; also of an ovary when the other floral organs are plainly below it in position, and free from it.
- Belonging to the part of an axillary flower which is toward the main stem; posterior.
- Pointing toward the apex of the fruit; ascending; -- said of the radicle.
2 . Superior [ n.]
- One who is above, or surpasses, another in rank, station, office, age, ability, or merit; one who surpasses in what is desirable; as, Addison has no superior as a writer of pure English.
- The head of a monastery, convent, abbey, or the like.

Meaning of 'superior' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . superior [ a]
Meaning (1):
- of or characteristic of high rank or importance
Example in sentence:
  • a superior ruler
Meaning (2):
- having an orbit farther from the sun than the Earth's orbit
Example in sentence:
  • Mars and Jupiter are the closest in of the superior planets
Meaning (3):
- of high or superior quality or performance
Example in sentence:
  • superior math students;
  • superior wisdom derived from experience
4 . superior [ s]
Meaning (4):
- (often followed by `to') above being affected or influenced by
Example in sentence:
  • an ignited firework proceeds superior to circumstances until its blazing vitality fades;
  • he is superior to fear
Meaning (5):
- (sometimes followed by `to') not subject to or influenced by
Example in sentence:
  • overcome by a superior opponent;
  • trust magnates who felt themselves superior to law
Meaning (6):
- having a higher rank
Example in sentence:
  • superior officer