superscript

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "superscript" is correct and usable in written English.
In written English, you can use the term "superscript" to refer to text that is slightly raised above the line of normal text, or to refer to text that is a smaller font size than the normal text. For example, you could write "The power of 10 is written as 10^3 in superscript."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

IT IS a solemn custom in science to mark the names of collaborators who pass away during the course of an article's publication with a superscript no different than that indicating their academic affiliation.

The Economist

For that reason it has not been thought necessary to add a subscript or superscript to m to emphasize that it is the rest mass rather than a velocity-dependent quantity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The number of carbon atoms on a group that are attached to the metal is indicated by the superscript in ηn.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the primal problem the objective is replaced by the product (px) of a vector x = (x1, x2, x3, …, xn T, whose components are the objective variables and where the superscript "transpose" symbol indicates that the vector should be written vertically, and another vector p = (p1, p2, p3, …, pn), whose components are the coefficients of each of the objective variables.

Encyclopedia Britannica

All of the stopped consonants are unvoiced, and the original voiceless stops have become strongly aspirated; for example, the equivalent of Irish bog "soft" is [pok], p being the voiceless counterpart of b, and that of cat "cat" is [khaht], the superscript h after k indicating the aspirated quality.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the broadest notation, a syllable pronounced on a normal high tone is left unmarked, a horizontal subscript marks a low-pitched syllable, and a vertical superscript marks a svarita syllable e.g., (agnim ī̀ḷe "I praise [invoke] Agni").

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

His system abbreviated the Latin names of the elements with one or two letters and applied superscripts to designate the number of atoms of each element present in both the acidic and basic ingredients.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The configuration of the complex depends on the type and number of orbitals involved in the hybridization e.g., sp (linear), sp3 (tetrahedral), dsp2 (square planar), and d2sp3 (octahedral), in which the superscripts denote the number of orbitals of a particular type.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For convenience, the coordinates are usually numbered from 1 to n, and each component of a tensor is denoted by a letter having superscripts and subscripts, each of which independently takes on the values 1 to n.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Nonlinear programming algorithms typically proceed by making a sequence of guesses of the variable vector x (known as iterates and distinguished by superscripts x1, x2, x3, …) with the goal of eventually identifying an optimal value of x.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The origin or location of the gene is indicated by the prefix of "v-" for virus or "c-" for cell or chromosome; additional prefixes, suffixes, and superscripts provide further delineation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing mathematical expressions, ensure that the "superscript" is clearly distinguishable from the base number or variable for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "superscript" when you intend to refer to a character or symbol positioned below the baseline; that's a subscript. "Superscripts" appear above, while subscripts appear below.

Linguistic Context

The term "superscript" primarily functions as a noun, referring to a type of lettering or notation. As shown in the examples by Ludwig, it describes characters or symbols positioned above the normal line of type.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

30%

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The analysis reveals that "superscript" is a common term, particularly in academic, scientific, and news contexts. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it correctly refers to characters positioned above the baseline. It's crucial to distinguish "superscript" from "subscript". When using "superscript", ensure clarity in mathematical expressions and other technical contexts. Remember that while "raised to the power of" describes the mathematical operation, "superscript" refers to its visual representation. Therefore, users should ensure to adopt best practices for clarity and precision in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

superscripted character

Adjective form to describe a character presented as a superscript.

superior text

Focuses on the position of the text, emphasizing its higher placement.

raised character

Highlights the visual aspect of the character being elevated.

exponent notation

Specifically refers to the use of superscripts in mathematical expressions.

above-the-line text

Describes the text's position relative to the normal line of writing.

high-positioned text

Describes the text's position in a clear and direct manner.

elevated symbol

Emphasizes the raising of a symbol rather than text.

upward-shifted text

Focuses on the shifting of text upwards from the regular baseline.

power notation

Another way to describe the superscript use in mathematics.

superior figure

Focuses on numbers placed above the baseline.

FAQs

How do I use "superscript" in a sentence?

You can use "superscript" to describe characters or symbols that are raised above the normal line of type, such as in mathematical exponents (e.g., x²) or footnote markers.

What's the difference between "superscript" and "subscript"?

"Superscript" refers to characters or symbols that are positioned above the baseline, whereas "subscript" refers to those positioned below the baseline.

Can I use "raised to the power of" instead of "superscript" in math?

While "raised to the power of" describes the mathematical operation, "superscript" refers to the visual representation of the exponent. They aren't directly interchangeable, but related in meaning.

How do I create a "superscript" in Microsoft Word?

In Microsoft Word, you can create a "superscript" by selecting the text you want to format and pressing Ctrl + Shift + + (or Cmd + Shift + + on a Mac), or by using the superscript button in the font settings.