Etymology Map
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Superb

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means excellent

Where does the word "superb" come from? It comes from Latin superbus, passing through French before entering English (1540s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
superbus
Latin · ancient
"proud, haughty"
from 'super', above
2
Stage 2 of 3
superbe
French · 1500s
"superb"
Latin 'superbus' meant proud or haughty as well as splendid; since 1760 'superb' has named brightly colored species
3
Stage 3 of 3
superb
English · 1540s
"majestic"
the sense 'excellent' dates from the 1700s
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Read the full story

Superb’s story begins in Latin: superbus meant “proud, haughty.” From 'super', above. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in French as superbe. Latin 'superbus' meant proud or haughty as well as splendid; since 1760 'superb' has named brightly colored species. It reached English by 1540s as superb. The sense 'excellent' dates from the 1700s. Today, superb means excellent.