The prefix super- means “above,” “beyond,” or “more than usual.” When you add super- to a word, you're saying something is greater, bigger, or more intense than normal.

A superhero has powers beyond what ordinary people possess. A supermarket is larger than a regular market, offering way more products under one roof. Supersonic speeds are faster than the speed of sound. Your supervisor at a job is positioned above you, overseeing your work.

Sometimes super- just means “really” or “extremely,” like when you say a movie was super funny or someone is super smart. This casual use has become so common that people use super as a standalone word to intensify almost anything.

You can spot it in hundreds of English words: supernatural (beyond natural explanation), supercharge (to charge with extra power), superficial (on the surface, not deep), and superior (higher in quality or rank).

When you see super- at the start of a word, expect something exceptional, extreme, or elevated beyond the ordinary.