superb etymology

Etymology

The word "superb" originates from the Latin word "superbus," which means "proud," "haughty," or "arrogant."

Meaning

In modern English, "superb" is primarily used as an adjective to describe something of exceptional quality or excellence. It conveys a sense of admiration and praise.

Specific Meanings

  • Excellent: Of the highest quality or standard; outstanding.
  • Magnificent: Grand, impressive, or visually striking.
  • Splendid: Fine or impressive in appearance or performance.
  • Marvelous: Wonderful, extraordinary, or inspiring awe.
  • Exceptional: Unusual or uncommon in a positive way.

Origin

The Latin word "superbus" evolved from the Proto-Indo-European root "*uper-," meaning "over" or "above." This root is also found in various other words related to superiority or excess, such as:

  • Superlative: The highest or most extreme degree of a quality.
  • Superior: Of higher rank, quality, or authority.
  • Supper: A meal served at night, after the main evening meal. (Originally, a meal served after the usual dining time.)

Usage

"Superb" is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, including:

  • To describe works of art, literature, music, or performance.
  • To commend someone's appearance, skills, or achievements.
  • To express admiration for natural beauty or grandeur.
  • To describe a product or service that exceeds expectations.

Synonyms

  • Excellent
  • Marvelous
  • Splendid
  • Magnificent
  • Outstanding
  • Exceptional

Antonyms

  • Poor
  • Bad
  • Mediocre
  • Ordinary
  • Unsatisfactory

superb relate terms

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  • beam

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  • Boer

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  • boodle

    Etymology Middle English bodel bundel Old English bydel Proto Germanic bundi laz

  • boom

    Etymology The word boom has several etymological origins Middle Dutch bom meani

  • booth

    Etymology The word booth comes from Middle English bothie which is thought to be der

  • bound

    Etymology Old English bindan Proto Germanic bindaną Meaning To tie fasten

  • bower

    Etymology and Origin of Bower The word bower has its origins in the Old French word

  • bowery

    Etymology The word bowery comes from the Dutch bouwerij meaning farm or plantatio

  • build

    Etymology The word build comes from the Middle English word bilden which in turn is

  • bumpkin

    Etymology The word bumpkin is derived from the Middle English term bompkyn which its

  • busk

    Etymology From Middle English busk busken from Old Norse búa to make ready prepar

  • bustle

    Etymology Middle English bustle from Old French buste meaning stir noise Mea

  • byre

    Etymology The word byre comes from the Old English word byr which means a cowshed or

  • bylaw

    Etymology Bylaw is a compound word composed of two separate terms By In legal context

  • Eisteddfod

    Etymology The word eisteddfod is derived from the Old Welsh words eistedd to sit a

  • Euphues

    Etymology Greek eu well phues nature Meaning A person of good nature or

  • fiat

    Etymology Latin fiat let it be done Proto Indo European bʰiH to become Meani

  • forebear

    Etymology Old English forebēran ancestors forefathers Proto Germanic fura berana

  • future

    Etymology Latin futurus meaning about to be or to come Meaning Relating to

  • husband

    Etymology The word husband comes from the Old Norse word húsbondi which is compose

  • Monophysite

    Etymology The term Monophysite is derived from the Greek words mono meaning one

  • neighbor

    Etymology The word neighbor comes from the Middle English word neibore and ultimate

  • neophyte

    Etymology The word neophyte originates from the Greek word neóphytos which means n

  • phyletic

    Meaning Phyletic etymology is a type of linguistic analysis that traces the origin and d

  • phylo

    Etymology and Meaning Phylo comes from the Greek word φύλον phylon meaning

  • phylum

  • phylogeny

    Etymology The word phylogeny is derived from two Greek words phylo φυλο mean

  • physic

    Etymology The word physics derives from the Greek word φυσική physike meani

  • physico

    Etymology Comes from Ancient Greek phusikós φυσικός meaning concerning na

  • physics

    Etymology The term physics originates from the Ancient Greek word physikos meaning

  • physio

    Etymology The word physio comes from the Greek word physis which means nature Me

  • physique

    Etymology Physique is derived from the Greek word physike meaning nature or phys

  • phyto

    Etymology and Origin of Phyto The prefix phyto is derived from the Ancient Greek wo

  • symphysis

    Etymology Ancient Greek σύμφυσις sýmphysis from συν syn together

  • hyper

    Etymology The word hyper is derived from the Greek prefix ὑπέρ huper meani

  • insuperable

    Etymology of Insuperable Insuperable is derived from the Latin word insuperabilis

  • over

    Etymology The word over derives from the Middle English over which in turn stems fr

  • sirloin

    Etymology The word sirloin is derived from the Old French surloigne which means ab

  • somersault

    Etymology Old English sumersault or sumersaulten Middle English somersault Late Latin

  • soprano

    Etymology The word soprano comes from the Italian word sopra which means above

  • sovereign

    Etymology The word sovereign is derived from the Old French word soverain which in

  • summit

    Etymology The word summit comes from the Old French word sommet which in turn comes

  • superable

    Etymology The word superable comes from the Latin word superabilis which means capa

  • superb

    Etymology The word superb originates from the Latin word superbus which means proud

  • superior

    Etymology The word superior originates from the Latin word superior which means hi

  • supernal

    Etymology Latin supernalis adjective super above nalis relating to Ultima

  • supra

    Etymology and Origin The word supra comes from the Latin preposition supra meaning

  • supreme

    Etymology The word supreme comes from the Latin word supremus which means highest

  • brilliant

    Etymology The word brilliant is derived from the Old French word brillant which in

  • bent

    Etymology The word bent has Old English origins It comes from the Old English word be

  • Pullman

    Etymology The word Pullman has two distinct origins From the city of Pullman Illino

  • super

    Etymology The word super has Latin origins stemming from the prefix super meaning

  • conspicuous

    Etymology Conspicuous originates from the Latin word conspicuus which means visible

  • reason

    Etymology The word reason derives from the Old French word raison which in turn ori

  • trespass

    Etymology of Trespass The word trespass originated from the Old French term trespas

  • exercise

    Etymology The word exercise comes from the Latin word exercere which means to train

  • boast

    Etymology Old English boastan to brag threaten Proto West Germanic bōstijaną

  • touch

    Etymology Middle English touchin from Old French toucher from Latin tangere meanin