How to pronounce superior
Say it like soo-PIR-ee-er. Superior has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PIR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce superior. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- soo
- PIR
- ee
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Superior pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- sooKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- PIRSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of superior
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: soo-PEER-ree-uh.
What does superior mean?
- of high or superior quality or performance“superior wisdom derived from experience”“superior math students”
- of or characteristic of high rank or importance“a superior ruler”
- (sometimes followed by to) not subject to or influenced by“overcome by a superior opponent”“trust magnates who felt themselves superior to law”
- one of greater rank or station or quality
- the head of a religious community
- a combatant who is able to defeat rivals
Where does superior come from?
From Middle English, borrowed from Old French superiour, from Latin superior (“higher, upper”).
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with superior
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of superior.
Questions about saying superior
How do you pronounce superior?
Say soo-PIR-ee-er. The American pronunciation is /suˈpɪriɚ/. In British English it is /suːˈpɪəriə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in superior?
Superior has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PIR). Broken into parts: soo · PIR · ee · er.
Is superior pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /suːˈpɪəriə/ (soo-PEER-ree-uh).