Supreme
/suˈpriːm/
adjectivenounB2
Definition
Supreme is used to describe the highest level of something, like power, quality, or importance. When something is supreme, it is better or more powerful than everything else in the same group. It can also be a noun meaning the highest authority or leader.
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See It in Action
Highest in rank, power, or authority
- •The Supreme Court is the highest court in the country.
- •She holds the supreme position in the company.
- •The supreme leader made the final decision.
Of the best quality or greatest degree
- •This is the supreme example of modern art.
- •He showed supreme skill in the game.
- •The dish was cooked to supreme perfection.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of 'supreme' like 'best' (A1 word), but stronger—it means the very top, not just good
- ✓Picture a tall mountain peak standing above all others, reaching the sky highest of all
- ✓It's the feeling of winning first place in a big contest or being the leader everyone respects
- ✓Sounds like 'soo-PRIME' → imagine the prime (best) number that stands alone and is special
- ✓Think of a king or queen who is the supreme ruler with the most power in the country
- ✓NOT like 'good' (just okay or fine), 'supreme' means the very best or most important
- ✓NOT like 'strong' (only about power), 'supreme' includes power, quality, or importance all together
Try Other Words
- •Highest: meaning at the top level (Use when focusing on rank or position)
- •Ultimate: meaning final or most extreme (Use when emphasizing the final or greatest degree)
- •Top: meaning the highest or most important (Use in informal situations)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: from Latin 'supremus' meaning 'highest, topmost'
- •Etymology: Latin root 'super' means 'above,' and '-em' is a superlative ending meaning 'most'
- •Historical development: Used since Middle English to describe the highest or greatest in power or quality
- •Modern usage: Commonly used in law (Supreme Court), titles, and to describe the best quality or most important things
Reflect & Connect
•What kinds of things in your life would you call supreme, and why?
•How does calling something supreme change the way people think about it?
Fill in the blanks
1.The Supreme Court has ___ authority over all other courts in the country.
2.She showed ___ skill in playing the piano, better than all her classmates.
3.Unlike a good player, a supreme player is ___ the best in the game.
4.When someone is called the supreme leader, they have ___ power in the group.
5.The chef prepared a dish with ___ care and attention to detail.
6.We say something is supreme when it is ___ important than anything else.
7.The company reached the supreme level of success after years of hard work.