different between fabulous vs superb

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin f?bul?sus (“celebrated in fable”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?fæbj?l?s/

Adjective

fabulous (comparative more fabulous, superlative most fabulous)

1. Of or relating to fable, myth or legend.
2. Characteristic of fables; marvelous, extraordinary, incredible.
3. Fictional or not believable; made up.
4. (obsolete) Known for telling fables or falsehoods; unreliable.
5. (slang) Very good; outstanding, wonderful.
6. (slang or euphemistic) Gay or pertaining to gay people.
7. (slang) Camp, effeminate.
8. (slang) Fashionable, glamorous

Usage notes

• In the sense of wonderful, the word may become associated with gay men. This may be the direct result of its former usage among valley girls.

Quotations

For quotations using this term, see Citations:fabulous.

Synonyms

• Thesaurus:excellent
• Thesaurus:gay

Derived terms

Related terms

• fable

Translations

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin superbus.

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /su?p?b/, /s??p?b/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /sju??p??b/, /su??p??b/
• Rhymes: -??(?)b
• Hyphenation: su?perb

Adjective

superb (comparative superber, superlative superbest)

1. First-rate; of the highest quality; exceptionally good.

   • Captain Edward Carlisle […] felt a curious sensation of helplessness seize upon him as he met her steady gaze, […]; he could not tell what this prisoner might do. He cursed the fate which had assigned such a duty, cursed especially that fate which forced a gallant soldier to meet so superb a woman as this under handicap so hard.

2. Grand; magnificent; august; stately.

3. (dated) Haughty.
   • 1858, Julia Kavanagh, Adèle, a Tale: Volume 2 (p.235):

     A remark which Isabella received with a superb curl of the lip, but at the same time, and to her brother's infinite relief, she walked away.

Synonyms

• excellent
• superlative

Derived terms

• superbly

Translations

Anagrams

• BUPERS, Repubs

German

Alternative forms

• süperb

Etymology

Borrowed from French superbe, from Latin superbus.

Pronunciation

Adjective

superb (not comparable)

1. superb

Declension

Further reading

• “superb” in Duden online

Romanian

Etymology

From French superbe, from Latin superbus.

Adjective

superb m or n (feminine singular superb?, masculine plural superbi, feminine and neuter plural superbe)

1. superb

Declension