What does superiority mean?
Word: Superiority
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Superiority means the state of being better, stronger or higher in rank than others. It can also describe a proud attitude, as in an air of superiority.
Synonyms: mastery, edge, lead
How do you spell superiority?
Syllables: su - pe - ri - or - i - ty
Tricky part: Students drop the i before ty (superiorty) or swap the early vowels (supiriority). The ending is ity.
Watch out for: superiorty, supiriority, superiorety
Memory tip: Look for the ri-o-ri pattern in the middle: an i on each side of the o.
Idioms and Phrases
- an air of superiority: a manner showing that you think you are better than others Example: "He spoke to the new boys with an air of superiority."
Superiority in a sentence
Example 1: The champions' superiority was clear from the very first round.
Example 2: The new phone claims superiority over older models in battery life.
Example 3: Nobody likes a classmate who acts with an air of superiority after every test.
Fun Fact
Lake Superior, the largest of North America's Great Lakes, was named by French explorers because it lay above Lake Huron.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
supperiority
a) t
b) p
c) r
d) i
Show answer
b) p. A single p follows the su at the start.
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word superiority as it is used in the sentence:
The visiting team showed clear superiority in the second half and scored three goals.
a) inferiority
b) supremacy
c) dominance
d) advantage
Show answer
a) inferiority. Superior and inferior are a matched pair, so superiority and inferiority are opposites.
Word Makeup
Only one of these words does NOT take the suffix ity. Choose it:
a) timid
b) major
c) superior
d) cheerful
Show answer
d) cheerful. Superiority, majority and timidity are words; cheerful makes cheerfulness instead.
Spell-o-Spell
Read the four words. Choose the meaning of the only correctly spelt word:
1. preferrence 2. eminense 3. superiority 4. excellance
a) the state of being above others in quality or rank
b) the quality of being extremely good
c) a liking for one thing more than another
d) fame and respect, especially in a profession
Show answer
a) the state of being above others in quality or rank. Excellence and eminence both end in ence, and preference keeps one r; superiority alone is spelt right.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. In a vote, numerical superiority means having ____.
a) more members than the other side
b) older and wiser leaders
c) better speeches than the other side
d) louder supporters in the crowd
Show answer
a) more members than the other side
2. A team shows clear superiority in a match by ____.
a) wearing a brand-new kit for the game
b) winning every set by a wide margin
c) arriving late at the ground
d) losing the toss at the start
Show answer
b) winning every set by a wide margin
