superb

USAGE SUMMARY

"superb" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to indicate something of excellent quality or a high degree of skill in a particular activity. For example: "Lisa's cooking is superb; she could be a professional chef!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Cavaliero is more used to appearing as someone's wife in a sitcom; she was superb in Hunderby, Jam & Jerusalem, Saxondale and a zillion others.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It really is an eye-goggling, mind-boggling dramedy-farce, hilarious and uproarious and ridiculous with superb effects.

The Guardian - Film

There's plenty of sand to walk, a couple of beach bars to retire to and, of course, superb, swimmable sea.

The Guardian - Travel

The book I most enjoyed reading this year was The New York Stories by John O'Hara (Penguin Classics), a selection of the many superb short stories by this neglected American master.

The Guardian - Books

Benítez built a superb counterattacking team round him at Liverpool, playing to his strengths, and the success was dazzling.

The Guardian - Sport

A superb work of literary Modernism and as tough and fascinating a work on addiction as anything by Burroughs or Buckowski.

The Guardian - Books

Juliette Binoche is named best actress for her superb turn in Abbas Kiarostami's Certified Copy, while Javier Bardem (Biutiful) and Elio Germano (La Nostra Vita) share the award for best actor.

The Guardian - Film

Foxcatcher: the 'uneasy relationship between money and creativity' Peter Bradshaw's review of Foxcatcher: a superb variant on the underdog sports movie.

The Guardian - Film

He was an inspirational colleague, an adventurous field-worker, a lover of life, a loyal friend and a superb cook.

The Guardian

But much of the transformation of the Queen's image, from the chilly, notoriously philistinic matriarch who couldn't care less about Diana to an ever more droll and sympathetic mentor to pitifully grateful prime ministers is surely attributable to Mirren's superb acting, and to the writers who have increasingly depicted the monarch as – so long as you are not Margaret Thatcher – fabulous company.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is an important time to be a manager, to loudly declare why our subjects are worthwhile, why our colleagues are superb at what they do, and why students will always benefit from being with us.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "superb" to describe something of exceptionally high quality or skill, particularly when you want to convey a sense of admiration or impressiveness. It adds a touch of formality and sophistication to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "superb" in overly casual or informal situations where simpler adjectives like "great" or "excellent" would be more appropriate. "Superb" is best reserved for more formal or sophisticated writing.

Linguistic Context

Superb" is primarily used as an adjective to describe something of exceptionally high quality or skill. The term conveys a sense of admiration and is used to highlight outstanding characteristics. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

20%

Travel

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "superb" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjective to describe something of exceptionally high quality. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the term conveys admiration and sophistication, making it suitable for diverse writing contexts. While widely used in news and media, sports, and travel writing, it's important to use it appropriately, avoiding overuse in overly casual situations. Alternative terms like "excellent" or "outstanding" may be more fitting in informal contexts. When you wish to emphasize the peak level of quality of something, using "superb" is, well, superb.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excellent

A more general term for high quality, lacking the nuance of grandeur.

outstanding

Emphasizes standing out from the ordinary.

first-rate

Highlights the high rank or class of something.

exceptional

Focuses on being an exception to the norm, rare and remarkable.

splendid

Implies brightness and magnificence, more theatrical.

magnificent

Suggests grandeur and impressiveness.

wonderful

Conveys a sense of delight and pleasure.

remarkable

Highlights the quality of being worthy of attention.

terrific

An informal term expressing great enthusiasm and enjoyment.

fantastic

Similar to terrific, but can also imply disbelief or imagination.

FAQs

How can I use "superb" in a sentence?

You can use "superb" to describe something of very high quality. For example, "The chef prepared a superb meal" or "The actress gave a superb performance."

What are some synonyms for "superb"?

Alternatives to "superb" include "excellent", "outstanding", and "first-rate". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "superb"?

"Superb" is appropriate when you want to convey a strong sense of admiration and quality. It's suitable for formal writing and situations where you want to express something is exceptionally good.

What's the difference between "superb" and "excellent"?

While both words describe high quality, "superb" suggests a higher degree of excellence and is often used to express admiration. "Excellent" is a more general term.