Meaning & use
super
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Meanings
adjectivenot comparable
Very good or excellent; used to show strong approval.
Grammar: Used before a noun or after a linking verb: a super idea; that's super.
Patterns
- super idea
- be super
- feel super
We had a super time at the beach.
That's a super idea!
I feel super today.
adverbinformal
Very; extremely (used informally before adjectives).
Grammar: Used mainly in speech, e.g. 'super excited'.
Patterns
- super excited
- super easy
- super fast
I'm super excited about the trip.
The test was super easy.
She ran super fast.
Common combinations
- super nice
- Your parents are super nice.
- super excited
- The kids are super excited about the party.
- super easy
- The recipe is super easy to follow.
- super fun
- The game was super fun.
Synonyms and how they differ
- great
- Great is more neutral and can be used in formal writing; super is more casual.
- excellent
- Excellent is stronger and more formal; super is informal and often used in speech.
- wonderful
- Wonderful expresses warm approval; super is more playful and casual.
Opposites
Word family
- superb adjective
- Excellent; more formal than super.
- superly adverb
- Rare; means in a super manner.
Commonly confused: super or super?
super vs super
As a prefix, super- means 'above' or 'beyond', as in 'supernatural'. The adjective super is separate.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'super' correctly as an adjective?
Choose one answer.
'Super' can follow a linking verb like 'was': 'The movie was super.' The other options use 'super' as a verb or in the wrong position.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “super”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.