Prefix super- in English (Meaning, Examples & Usage)
Hello, English learners. Welcome to a new lesson! Today, we’re exploring the prefix super-, a powerful and productive prefix in English.
What does super- mean?
The prefix super- comes from Latin and generally means:
- above
- beyond
- extremely
- more than usual
It is often used to describe exceptional quality, size, ability, importance, or intensity. You’ll see it in everyday English (supermarket, superstar) as well as in academic, scientific, and formal vocabulary.
Below are 30 useful words with the prefix super-, each with a clear meaning and a natural example sentence.
Vocabulary with super-
| Superhuman | having abilities beyond those of ordinary people | Her memory is almost superhuman — she never forgets a name. |
| Supernatural | beyond what science can explain | The novel is full of supernatural events and mysterious forces. |
| Superstar | a person who is extremely famous and successful | The athlete became a global superstar overnight. |
| Supercomputer | an extremely powerful computer | Scientists use a supercomputer to analyse climate data. |
| Supermarket | a large shop selling food and household goods | I stopped by the supermarket on my way home from work. |
| Superhero | a fictional character with special powers | Children often dress up as superheroes for parties. |
| Superpower | an extraordinary ability or major global influence | Learning languages quickly is his real superpower. |
| Supernova | a powerful explosion of a star | Astronomers observed a supernova in a distant galaxy. |
| Superstructure | the part of a structure above its base | The bridge’s superstructure is made of reinforced steel. |
| Superstition | a belief based on fear or magic rather than reason | The superstition brought her unnecessary anxiety. |
| Superimpose | to place one thing over another | The editor superimposed text onto the image. |
| Superlative | the highest degree or quality | She received superlative praise for her performance. |
| Supercilious | behaving as if one is superior to others | His supercilious tone annoyed the entire team. |
| Superabundant | more than enough; excessive | The garden produced a superabundant harvest this year. |
| Supercharge | to increase power or effectiveness | The new strategy supercharged the company’s growth. |
| Superhighway | a wide, fast road for heavy traffic | We took the superhighway to avoid city traffic. |
| Superfluid | able to flow with no resistance | Superfluid helium behaves in unusual ways. |
| Supersonic | faster than the speed of sound | The aircraft can travel at supersonic speeds. |
| Superstitious | believing in superstition | He’s superstitious and avoids walking under ladders. |
| Supernumerary | exceeding the usual number | Supernumerary staff were hired for the event. |
| Superheated | heated beyond the normal temperature | Superheated steam drives the turbines efficiently. |
| Superordinate | higher in rank or authority | The superordinate manager approved the plan. |
| Superconductivity | conducting electricity with no resistance | Superconductivity is crucial in modern medical technology. |
| Supererogatory | beyond what duty requires | Her supererogatory generosity surprised everyone. |
| Superdelegate | a delegate with special voting power | The superdelegate played a key role in the decision. |
| Superannuated | outdated or retired due to age | The superannuated equipment was finally replaced. |
| Superintelligent | extremely intelligent | Researchers debate the risks of superintelligent AI. |
| Superrefined | extremely pure or polished | Superrefined sugar is used in delicate desserts. |
| Supervolcano | a volcano capable of a massive eruption | Scientists monitor regions with supervolcano activity. |
| Supercharged | highly energised or intensified | The atmosphere was supercharged with excitement. |
When you see super-, expect intensity, excess, or superiority. Recognising prefixes like this will help you guess meanings faster, especially in exams and academic reading.
Learn about the prefix ILL- here
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