Words with the prefix super-
super- means “above; beyond; greater”, from Latin.
15 examples of the prefix super-
- superherosuper- + herohero with powers beyond normal
- supermarketsuper- + marketmarket larger than ordinary
- supernaturalsuper- + naturalbeyond what nature explains
- superstarsuper- + starstar greater than ordinary stars
- supermansuper- + manman of powers above human
- superiorsuper- + Latin: aboveplaced or ranked above others
- superpowersuper- + powerpower far beyond the ordinary
- supersonicsuper- + sonicfaster than the speed of sound
- supervisesuper- + Latin: seeoversee from above; watch over
- superimposesuper- + imposeplace one thing above another
- superficialsuper- + Latin: face/surfaceexisting only on the surface
- supersedesuper- + Latin: sitsit above; replace something older
- superlativesuper- + Latin: carrycarried above all others; greatest
- superfluoussuper- + Latin: flowoverflowing; more than enough
- superannuatedsuper- + Latin: yearbeyond working years; retired old
How super- works
The prefix 'super-' attaches to nouns, adjectives, and verbs without changing its spelling, as it does not assimilate to the following consonant the way 'in-' does. It typically preserves the base word's part of speech, though it can shift nouns to adjectives or verbs when combined with Latin roots.
Watch out: The word 'supper' looks like it begins with 'super-' but actually derives from Old French 'souper' (evening meal) and contains no prefix at all.
To see prefixes combine with other parts, try the word dissector and root builder, or test yourself in the vocabulary quiz.
Other common prefixes
Questions people ask
What does the prefix super- mean?
super- means “above; beyond; greater”. It comes from Latin. The prefix 'super-' attaches to nouns, adjectives, and verbs without changing its spelling, as it does not assimilate to the following consonant the way 'in-' does. It typically preserves the base word's part of speech, though it can shift nouns to adjectives or verbs when combined with Latin roots.
What are some examples of words with the prefix super-?
superhero, supermarket, supernatural, superstar, superman, superior, superpower, supersonic. The full list of 15 examples, with what each one literally means, is above.
Which words look like they have the prefix super- but don’t?
The word 'supper' looks like it begins with 'super-' but actually derives from Old French 'souper' (evening meal) and contains no prefix at all.
What is a prefix?
A prefix is a word part added to the front of a base word or root to change its meaning, like un- in unhappy or re- in rewrite. It does not usually change the part of speech.