supreme
gb/supɹˈim/ us/supɹˈim/
B2
English
~ 2600
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
Highest in rank or authority
Being the most powerful or important.
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is supreme
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'supreme' with 'extreme', but 'supreme' refers to the highest rank or authority, not intensity.
Synonyms
paramount (Similar in meaning but slightly more formal and often used about importance rather than authority.)
Antonyms
inferior (Indicates lower rank or importance, the opposite of supreme.)
Collocations
Supreme Court
|supreme leader
|supreme authority
|supreme commander
Themes
leadership
|politics
|power
|law
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The Supreme Court will hear the case next month.
- She was regarded as the supreme authority on the subject.
- In the game, the goal is to become the supreme ruler of the kingdom.
- The general was appointed as the supreme commander of the armed forces.
Learner examples
- The Supreme Court makes important decisions.
- He is the supreme leader of the country.
- She is the supreme boss in the company.
- The king was supreme in his land.
adjective
B2
property
2
Greatest possible degree or quality
The best or greatest possible.
Usage pattern:
[something] is supreme
Common mistake:
Some learners overuse 'supreme' for everyday good things; it is better reserved for truly exceptional cases.
Synonyms
ultimate (Often interchangeable, but 'ultimate' can also mean 'final'.)
Antonyms
mediocre (Indicates average or low quality, opposite of supreme in this sense.)
Collocations
supreme confidence
|supreme effort
|supreme happiness
|supreme skill
Themes
quality
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- His performance was of supreme quality.
- She showed supreme courage in the face of danger.
- The chef takes supreme care with every dish.
- They acted with supreme confidence during the presentation.
Learner examples
- He has supreme skill in chess.
- She worked with supreme care.
- They had supreme joy after the win.
- This is a pizza of supreme taste.
adjective
formal
C1
property
3
Final and not able to be surpassed
The last or most important stage; nothing can be higher.
Synonyms
ultimate (Often overlaps, but 'ultimate' is more common in everyday language; 'supreme' here is more formal or ceremonial.)
Antonyms
preliminary (Indicates something that comes before the main or final stage.)
Collocations
supreme sacrifice
|supreme moment
Themes
process
|limits
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He made the supreme sacrifice for his country.
- This moment was the supreme test of her abilities.
- For them, winning this championship was the supreme achievement.
Learner examples
- He made the supreme sacrifice.
- This was the supreme moment of my life.
- It was the supreme test for her.
Grammar
Dictionary form
supreme
IPA
GB/supɹˈim/
US/supɹˈim/
Syllables & stress
su - preme (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (preme)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: supreme
Word family
Core family
supremely
adverb
supremacy
noun C1
Related words
supremacist
noun
Advanced or less common
supremacism
noun
Expressions
of supreme importance
2/əv supɹˈim ɪmpˈɔɹtəns/
fixed phrase
Extremely important above all else
More important than anything else.
Examples
- Safety is of supreme importance in this factory.
- Honesty is of supreme importance in our family.
Supreme Court
1/supɹˈim kˈɔɹt/
fixed phrase
Highest judicial body in a country
The most important court in a country or state that makes final legal decisions.
Examples
- The case will be decided by the Supreme Court.
- She argued her case before the Supreme Court.
supreme leader
3/supɹˈim lˈidɚ/
fixed phrase
Person with highest authority
A person who has complete control over a country or group.
Examples
- The supreme leader announced new policies.
- He became the supreme leader after years of political struggle.
supreme sacrifice
4/supɹˈim sˈækɹəfˌaɪs/
fixed phrase
formal
Giving life for a cause
Dying for an important reason, such as one's country.
Examples
- Many soldiers made the supreme sacrifice during the war.
- He was honored for making the supreme sacrifice.