superior
gb/supˈɪɹiɚ/ us/supˈɪɹiɚ/
B1
English
~ 3800
jobb, fontosabb, magasabb rangú, felettes, fölényes, lekezelő
B1
1
Usage pattern:
[something] is superior to [something]
This phone is clearly superior to its competitors.
Ez a telefon egyértelműen jobb a versenytársainál.
She believes her cooking skills are superior to mine.
Szerinte az ő főzőtudása jobb, mint az enyém.
The team's superior performance led them to victory.
Our new system is technologically superior.
He was promoted because of his superior leadership abilities.
Learner examples
This car is superior to my old one.
Ez az autó jobb a régi autómnál.
Her work is superior to his.
Az ő munkája jobb, mint az övé.
This book is superior to the other one.
The hotel service was superior.
These shoes are superior in comfort.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'more superior', which is redundant because 'superior' already means 'better'.
Meaning
Better in quality or rank
Collocations
morally superior
|technologically superior
|vastly superior
|superior quality
|superior performance
Synonyms
better (More general and less formal; does not always imply official rank.)
|
higher (Often used for rank or position; less about quality.)
Antonyms
inferior (Direct opposite in terms of quality, rank, or status.)
Themes
comparison
|evaluation
|status
|core_vocabulary
|work
Definition
Better in quality or more important than something or someone else.
Having higher quality, greater importance, or a higher position than something or someone else.
NOUN
B1
2
felettes
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s superior
You should speak to your immediate superior about this issue.
Beszélj erről a problémáról a közvetlen feletteseddel.
Her military superior praised her bravery.
Katonai felettese megdicsérte a bátorságáért.
I have to get approval from my superior before making changes.
His direct superior is on vacation this week.
The report must be signed by your superior.
Learner examples
My superior gave me more work.
A felettesem több munkát adott nekem.
I will ask my superior for help.
Segítséget fogok kérni a felettesemtől.
Her superior is very kind.
I must tell my superior about the problem.
His superior is away today.
Meaning
Person of higher rank
Collocations
immediate superior
|direct superior
|military superior
Synonyms
boss (Informal; common in workplace contexts.)
|
manager (Specifically refers to workplace context; not always about higher rank in other hierarchies.)
Antonyms
subordinate (Refers to someone lower in rank or position.)
Themes
workplace
|hierarchy
|authority
|work
|business
Definition
A person who is above you in rank or authority.
A person who has a higher position, authority, or rank than someone else in an organization or hierarchy.
B2
3
Usage pattern:
a superior manner/attitude/look
He gave me a superior smile when I made a mistake.
Fölényes mosollyal nézett rám, amikor hibáztam.
Her tone was so superior that it annoyed everyone.
Olyan fölényes volt a hangneme, hogy mindenkit idegesített.
I dislike his superior attitude toward new employees.
She spoke in a superior manner, as if we knew nothing.
His expression was calm but slightly superior.
Learner examples
He has a superior smile.
Fölényes mosolya van.
Her voice sounds superior.
Fölényes a hangja.
I do not like his superior manner.
She talks with a superior tone.
He looks very superior when he wins.
Meaning
Proudly behaving as better than others
Collocations
superior tone
|superior smile
|superior attitude
Synonyms
condescending (Emphasizes talking down to others.)
|
arrogant (Stronger negative judgment about self-importance.)
Antonyms
humble (Opposite attitude; not thinking you are better than others.)
Themes
emotions
|social behavior
|relationships
Definition
Acting as if you are better than other people.
Behaving as if you are better, more important, or more intelligent than other people, often seen as disapproving.
Grammar
Dictionary form
superior
IPA
GB/supˈɪɹiɚ/
US/supˈɪɹiɚ/
Syllables & stress
su - per - i - or (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (per)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: superior
Noun
- Base: superior
- Plural: superiors
Word family
Forms
superiors
noun
Core family
superiority
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
inferior
adjective B1
inferiority
noun
Advanced or less common
superiorly
adverb
Expressions
be superior to
1/bˈi supˈɪɹiɚ tə/
fixed phrase
To be better than something else
To be better in quality or more important than something else.
Examples
- This model is superior to the previous one in every way.
- Her design is clearly superior to all the others.
in a superior manner
1/ˈɪn ə supˈɪɹiɚ mˈænɚ/
fixed phrase
Behaving as if better than others
To act in a way that shows you think you are more important or smarter than other people.
Examples
- He spoke in a superior manner to his colleagues.
- She looked at me in a superior manner and walked away.
one's immediate superior
1/wˈʌnz ɪmˈidiɪt supˈɪɹiɚ/
fixed phrase
The person directly above in rank
The person who is directly above you in authority at work or in an organization.
Examples
- You should report the problem to your immediate superior.
- My immediate superior approved my vacation request.